Echocardiograms are one of doctors’ most important tools to assess heart health. It’s one of the most common diagnostic tests providers use to reveal heart conditions. Your cardiologist may have ordered an echocardiogram if you experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat.
So, what exactly can an echocardiogram reveal about your heart? Here are some of the most common irregularities that this test can show:
Heart Valve Problems
The first irregularity that an echocardiogram can reveal is a heart valve problem. Valves help control blood flow through your heart.
If your heart valves don’t function correctly, it can cause blood to flow backwards or leak out of the chamber. This condition can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat.
Echocardiograms reveal heart valve problems by looking at the structure of the valves and how well they are opening and closing. The test can also show any blood leakage around the valves. Some examples of heart valve conditions are:
Stenosis of the Heart Valves
Stenosis is when the valves do not open entirely and restrict blood flow. It usually affects the aortic valve or the mitral valve.
Regurgitation of the Heart Valves
Regurgitation happens when the valves do not close properly, causing blood to leak back into the chamber. It also usually affects the aortic valve or the mitral valve.
Heart Muscle Conditions
Echocardiograms can reveal problems with the heart muscle itself. Various things like heart attacks, viral infections, and certain medications can weaken or damage the heart.
A weakened or damaged heart muscle can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat. The test can reveal if the heart muscle is thickened, thinned, or stiffened. It can also show any damage to the heart muscle, like:
- Cardiomyopathy – when the heart muscle becomes weakened or damaged
- Myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle
- Pericarditis – inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart
Problems With Blood Flow
Echocardiograms can show problems with how blood flows through the heart. These conditions include problems with the size or shape of the heart chambers and blockages in arteries.
Problems with blood flow can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat.
Heart Attack
Echocardiograms can also reveal if you have had a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to your heart is cut off. This condition can happen if a blood clot blocks an artery.
A heart attack can lead to chest pain, arm pain, confusion, heart burn, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat. Echocardiograms can show if previous heart attacks have damaged your heart.
Other Abnormalities
Additionally, echocardiograms can show other less common abnormalities. These conditions include heart tumors or problems with the heart’s outer layer. Some examples include:
- Cardiac tumors – tumors that develop in the heart
- Pericardial effusion – a buildup of fluid around the heart
- Ventricular septal defect – a hole in the wall separating your heart’s two lower chambers
- Atrial septal defect – a hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers
Echocardiogram In Irmo, SC
An echocardiogram is a test that can reveal many different heart irregularities. These conditions include problems with the valves, heart muscle, and how blood flows through the heart. This diagnostic test can also reveal previous heart attacks and other abnormalities.
You should talk to your doctor about getting an echocardiogram if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat.
You can rely on SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC for cardiac testing in Irmo, SC. We have state-of-the-art facilities and experienced providers who can give you comprehensive care. Call our friendly staff at (803) 749-1111 if you have inquiries about our services. You may also fill out our appointment request form to book a consultation.
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