For all those who have had this test, could you please explain what it is. All sounds really scarey. How do they do it?
Dr.just got my ECG back and it's not normal so now the Echocardiogram.
Thanks
Posted by NoVAChick (Member # 9814) on :
Hi Sienna,
An echocardiogram is non-invasive and non-painful. It is an ultrasound procedure.
If yours will be a rest echo, you will simply lie on your side on a bed and the Sonographer will put a clear gel (it's usually warmed) on your chest.
She will then take the transducer (like a wand) and place it on your sternum and various places around your ribs to get pictures of your heart. Sometimes they have to press hard on your ribs and it hurts a little. The transducer sends sound waves to the machine, which turns it into a picture.
If you have a stress echo, they will have you walk on a treadmill until you reach 85% of your maximum heart rate, then take your pictures as described above.
If you have a stress echo but are unable to walk on a treadmill, they will intravenously administer a pharmacologic stress agent that will stress your heart, then take your pictures.
I hope this helps, and I wish you luck.
Posted by heiwalove (Member # 6467) on :
not scary at all. it's just an ultrasound of the heart. the doc puts cold gel stuff on your chest, then moves the ultrasound wand around. it's completely noninvasive. there's no pain at all, just gentle pressure.
don't worry!
Posted by sienna (Member # 10980) on :
Thank you for your replies, I don't feel worried about the test now, I just hope it doesn't show any major problems.