How to Read Your Echocardiogram Report

 

An echocardiogram is a diagnostic tool that creates inmates of your heart. This includes the structure, chamber, valves, and blood flow patterns. The tool is non-invasive and painless as it uses sound waves to create detailed images. The images allow your medical provider to see and assess your heart’s size, shape, muscle thickness, valve function, blood abnormalities, and overall cardiac health. This is especially beneficial in understanding your heart health, including abnormalities, congenital heart defects, cardiac function, and heart failure. To someone who isn’t a doctor, the results may be overwhelming. Below you will find how to read your echocardiogram report. 

How to Read Your Echocardiogram Report

It is advisable to read your echocardiogram report with your medical provider. They can answer your questions and provide you with their expertise in terms of analysis. However, if you do get your results before your appointment, the following tips can help you effectively read your echocardiogram report. An echocardiogram provides structural and functional analysis, in addition to blood flow patterns. 

Structural Analysis: The structural analysis examines the chamber size, measures the wall thickness, and evaluates the valves. Measuring the chamber is key as it can assess any enlargement or shrinkage in your heart. The wall thickness is necessary to determine if you have certain conditions, such as hypertrophy. Lastly, the valve assessment is necessary to determine if they are narrowing or potentially leaking. 

Functional Analysis: The functional analysis of your echocardiogram involves measuring your cardiac output, assessing the diastolic function, and your ejection fraction percentage. Your cardiac output measures your heart’s overall performance by determining the amount of blood your heart pumps each minute. The diastolic function assesses your heart during its resting phase, including how well it relaxes and fills with blood. Lastly, the ejection fraction percentage assesses the efficiency of your heart pumps.

Blood Flow Patterns: An echocardiogram often assesses your blood flow patterns. Doppler imaging is used to detect any abnormalities by determining the velocity and direction of your blood flow. In addition to doppler imaging, color flow doppler assesses the direction and velocity.

The Purpose of an Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is a helpful diagnostic tool used to assess if you have any underlying heart conditions. This is helpful as it can get you on the right track early so you can take control of your health. Even if it is not caught early on, stress testing can determine the severity of your heart condition to ensure you get the right treatment. In fact, an echocardiogram can be a life-saving tool for many people. Understanding your risk for heart disease is key. Work with a skilled cardiologist to determine when you should get tested and if there are any additional treatments necessary to ensure your heart health.

Echocardiography In LA

In addition to the assessments and measurements above, your cardiologist may take additional measurements based on your unique needs. When you get your echocardiogram report, schedule an appointment with your cardiology doctors. They can summarize the findings and highlight any abnormalities found after the assessment. In addition, they can provide recommendations for further evaluation or treatment if necessary. A skilled cardiology doctor can also monitor your ongoing health so it’s important to attend all of your appointments after your echocardiogram.

If you need an echocardiogram or want a second opinion, contact the team at Apex Cardiology. They are experts in echocardiography in LA, including stress, doppler, transthoracic, and transesophageal echocardiograms. Whether you are at high risk for heart disease or have reached the age where you should get regular heart exams, the team at Apex Cardiology has helped countless patients of all ages and health statuses. Contact their team today to schedule an appointment!