Why did my cardiologist order an ultrasound of my heart?

You might feel a little anxious if your cardiologist or heart-health provider has recommended you get a heart ultrasound (also called an echocardiogram), but don’t worry. 

It only means your provider wants to take a closer look at real-time images of your heart, so they can check on the health of your heart’s structures, which is exactly what an echocardiogram is great at doing.

In this guide, we’ll show you what heart ultrasound does, what it can see, the conditions a heart ultrasound can diagnose, and what to expect during your heart ultrasound appointment.

What is a heart ultrasound? How does it work?

A heart ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart. It works by having a technologist place a small device called a transducer on your chest, which sends out sound waves that bounce off your heart and create pictures of its structure and function. 

These images help your healthcare provider see how well your heart is pumping, check the condition of your heart valves, and detect any abnormalities. A heart ultrasound is safe, painless, and provides important information about your heart’s health.

What can a heart ultrasound show my cardiologist?

A heart ultrasound can show your cardiologist or heart-healthcare provider detailed images of your heart’s structure, including the size and shape of the chambers, the function of the heart valves, and how well the heart muscle is pumping. It can also reveal issues like abnormal blood flow, heart muscle damage, and fluid buildup around the heart. 

These images help your healthcare provider diagnose conditions such as heart valve disorders, heart failure, and congenital heart defects, helping your heart-healthcare provider to more accurately diagnose your condition, so you can get the best available treatment.

Evaluating your heart function

Cardiologists and healthcare providers who specialize in the field of heart health have many tools that help them evaluate your heart’s condition and function. An ultrasound is one of those diagnostic tools. Let’s examine how this tool works.

How does an ultrasound help to show how well my heart is pumping?

Ultrasounds use sound waves and the pitch of those waves change when they bounce off blood cells moving through the heart and blood vessels. These changes are called Doppler signals which measure the speed and direction of blood flow within the heart and vessels. Basically, this shows how well your heart is pumping blood.

What information can a heart ultrasound show about my heart’s chambers and valves?

A heart ultrasound shows how well the chambers are pumping blood, and can show whether the chambers are of normal size and shape. An ultrasound also reveals how the valves are functioning, such as whether they are opening and closing properly, and if there are any leaks or narrowing.

How does a cardiac ultrasound identify issues with my heart’s muscle movement?

An echocardiogram identifies issues with your heart’s muscle movement by showing real-time images of how your heart’s walls and chambers are contracting and relaxing. It can detect areas where the heart muscle is weaker or not moving as it should, which could indicate damage from a heart attack or other conditions. By watching how the muscle moves with each heartbeat, your cardiologist can assess if your heart is pumping efficiently, or if there are any problems that need further treatment.

Identifying potential heart conditions

Echocardiograms are extremely helpful in detecting a range of heart conditions that have a number of causes. It’s important for your heart-healthcare provider to accurately diagnose your condition so you can get the most effective care available. Let’s take a closer look at how a heart ultrasound helps your provider to diagnose these conditions.

What heart conditions can my cardiologist diagnose with an echocardiogram?

Your cardiologist can use heart ultrasound to diagnose valve disorders (where the valves may not open or close properly) and heart muscle weakness (which can indicate conditions like heart failure). It can also detect structural issues like congenital heart defects and abnormalities in the size or shape of your heart’s chambers. Also, it can reveal problems with blood flow or fluid buildup around the heart, helping your cardiologist make an informed diagnosis and treatment plan.

How does an echocardiogram detect conditions like heart murmurs or valve issues?

An echocardiogram can show how the blood flows through the heart and its valves. If a valve isn’t opening or closing properly, the ultrasound can reveal abnormal blood flow patterns, which might cause a heart murmur. It also shows if the valves are thickened, narrowed, or leaking, helping your cardiologist understand the exact cause of the murmur or valve issue.

Can an echocardiogram help to diagnose congenital heart defects?

An echocardiogram can help diagnose congenital heart defects by revealing abnormalities such as holes in the heart, improperly formed chambers, or issues with the heart’s valves that are present from birth. These real-time images allow your healthcare provider to see how blood flows through the heart, and detect any structural defects that might affect your heart function.

What you can expect during an heart ultrasound?

For most people, a heart ultrasound is a very easy and comfortable scan, since it’s completely non-invasive and doesn’t take very long. There are just a few things to keep in mind for the day of your ultrasound appointment.

How should I get ready for my heart ultrasound appointment?

Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for how to get ready for your ultrasound, and if you have any questions, you should feel free to get in touch with your provider. On the day of your appointment, wear comfortable clothing so you can be comfortable for your scan, and consider avoiding caffeinated beverages beforehand so you can more easily lie still.

What should I expect during an ultrasound of the heart?

During an ultrasound of the heart, or echocardiogram, you can expect to lie down on an exam table while a technologist applies a small amount of gel to your chest. 

This gel helps the ultrasound device, called a transducer, to get clear images of your heart. The technologist will move the transducer around your chest to capture different views, and you might be asked to change positions or hold your breath briefly to help get the best images. 

Your ultrasound should take about 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of ultrasound your provider ordered, and on your specific circumstances.

How to schedule with an appointment us

Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment. 

With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region. 

We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.

Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:

• Cherry Hill Office – Cherry Hill, NJ
• Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Medford Office – Medford, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Voorhees (Carnie Blvd) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Sewell (Washington Twp) Office – Sewell, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
• Women’s Center at Cross Keys – Sewell, NJ
• Women’s Center at Medford – Medford, NJ
• Women’s Center at Mount Laurel – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Women’s Center at Voorhees – Voorhees Township, NJ

Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze, and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.