LymeNet Flash: Echocardiogram

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Echocardiogram

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Author

Topic: Echocardiogram

sienna
Member
Member # 10980

posted

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

Posts: 67 | From UK | Registered: Jan 2007 | IP: Logged |

NoVAChick
Member
Member # 9814

posted

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.

Posts: 48 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |

heiwalove
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6467

posted

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!

--------------------
http://www.myspace.com/violinexplosion

Posts: 1848 | From seattle, wa | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged |

sienna
Member
Member # 10980

posted

Thank you for your replies, I don't feel
worried about the test now, I just hope it
doesn't show any major problems.

Posts: 67 | From UK | Registered: Jan 2007 | IP: Logged |

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