Getting ready for a cardiac ultrasound?
Don't panic! 😰
We are here to help you.
In this article, we will give you all the information you need to prepare for your appointment.
That's enough to prevent heart palpitations before the doctor has even put the gel on your chest. 🤭
Ready to find out everything you need to know before spending a cardiac ultrasound ?
So, fasten your seatbelts and follow us in this article full of practical advice and tips to live this experience well.
Now that you are reassured, dive into the fascinating world of cardiac ultrasound with us! 🫀
What is a cardiac ultrasound?
A cardiac ultrasound is a medical examination that allows you to visualize the heart and its internal structures.
It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the heart's anatomy and function.
This test is usually performed in a medical imaging center or cardiology clinic by a medical ultrasound technician or a cardiologist. 🧑⚕️
The examination is usually painless and poses no risk to the patient.
It is considered an accurate and reliable diagnostic tool for health professionals.
The interpretation of the results of the cardiac ultrasound is performed by a cardiologist who can detect a variety of cardiac problems depending on the patient's background and presenting symptoms.
What can be detected with a cardiac ultrasound?
Several types of heart problems can be detected with a cardiac ultrasound, including:
🫀 Heart defects: cardiac ultrasound can visualize congenital heart defects, such as septal defects, coronary artery defects, and many others.
🫀 Heart valve anomalies Cardiac ultrasound can help detect heart valve problems such as aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation and many others.
🫀 Blood clots: cardiac ultrasound can help detect blood clots in the heart chambers, which can be dangerous to health.
🫀 Heart pumping problems: cardiac ultrasound can help diagnose problems with heart function, such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and more.
The interpretation of the results of the cardiac ultrasound is performed by a cardiologist who can detect a variety of cardiac problems depending on the patient's background and presenting symptoms.
Is this an invasive test?
No, cardiac ultrasound is not an invasive test.
It is a non-invasive medical imaging method that uses high frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the heart and its surrounding structures.
During the examination, the patient lies on his back and a gel is applied to his chest.
Next, the ultrasound technician uses a device called a transducer to send sound waves through the chest to obtain images of the inside of the heart.
Cardiac ultrasound is generally considered safe and painless, and does not require an invasive procedure, such as an incision or injection. 🙌
When to have a cardiac ultrasound?
Cardiac ultrasound can be performed in a variety of clinical settings to assess the structure and function of the heart.
This examination can be prescribed by a physician in the following cases:
✏️ If the patient experiences symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath or unusual fatigue;
✏️ To monitor the progression of heart disease such as heart failure, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, abnormal heart valve or coronary artery disease;
✏️ To evaluate the condition of the heart before or after surgery or medical treatment;
✏️ To diagnose heart disease in a patient with risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, smoking or a family history of heart disease.
In all cases, cardiac ultrasound is a useful test to help the physician make an accurate diagnosis and plan the most appropriate treatment for the patient.
How is a cardiac ultrasound performed?
A cardiac ultrasound usually takes 30 to 60 minutes and is performed by a cardiac ultrasound technician or cardiologist.
During the examination, the patient lies on his or her back, usually on an examination table.
The ultrasound technician applies a gel to the patient's chest and then places a transducer, a device that emits sound waves, on different areas of the chest to obtain images of the heart.
The patient may be asked to change position to allow the technician to image different parts of the heart.
The technician may ask the patient to hold his or her breath or take a deep breath during certain parts of the examination. 🌬️
The examination provides real-time images of the interior of the heart and its surrounding structures, such as the heart valves, coronary arteries and veins.
The technician can also measure blood flow through different parts of the heart to assess heart function. 🩸
Once the examination is completed, the gel is cleaned from the patient's skin.
The results of the cardiac ultrasound are then interpreted by a cardiologist or a physician to establish a diagnosis and plan the appropriate treatment.
Is it important to fast to have a cardiac ultrasound?
In general, you do not need to be fasting to have a cardiac ultrasound. 🍔
However, this may depend on the specific guidelines of the medical imaging department or the physician ordering the test.
If the cardiac ultrasound is performed to assess the status of blood flow through the coronary arteries, the patient may need to fast for several hours before the examination. 🩸
This may be due to the fact that diet can affect the dilation of blood vessels and therefore influence the results of the examination.
It is important to follow the instructions given by the medical imaging department or physician for the cardiac ultrasound.
If specific instructions are given regarding fasting or any other aspect of the examination, it is important to follow them to ensure that the examination is as accurate as possible.
What are the benefits of having a cardiac ultrasound rather than another test?
There are several benefits to having a cardiac ultrasound rather than another test to assess heart health. Here are some of those benefits:
✅ Non-invasive: Cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to produce real-time images of the heart, eliminating the risk of complications associated with more invasive tests.
✅ No radiation: unlike some other medical imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) or cardiac scans, cardiac ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, making it a safer option for patients.
✅ Accurate: Cardiac ultrasound is capable of producing highly accurate images of the heart and its surrounding structures, allowing physicians to identify and diagnose many cardiac conditions with great precision.
✅ Versatile: Cardiac ultrasound can be used to evaluate many different cardiac conditions, including heart failure, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, valvular abnormalities, and coronary artery disease.
✅ Easily accessible: cardiac ultrasound is widely available in many health centers, and many patients can access this test without needing a referral to a specialist.
Overall, it is an accurate, safe, and non-invasive medical imaging test that offers many benefits for assessing heart health.
Take the lead today to ensure your heart health is on track! 🫀
Make an appointment now at one of our clinics: Laval, Mascouche and Vaudreuil-Dorion - it's time to get your heart health check 😀
