Our Services / Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a heart ultrasound. The technology uses sound waves to produce images of your heart to show how your heart is beating and how well it’s pumping blood.

The providers at Coastal Cardiology of Orange County may request an echocardiogram if you have unexplained symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. You may also need an echocardiogram to identify issues with your heart valves or chambers.

What can I expect during an echocardiogram?

There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for your echocardiogram. On the day of your appointment, the Coastal Cardiology of Orange County physicians provide you with a gown to wear, so you can undress from the waist up.

You lie on an exam table, and your provider attaches electrodes to the surface of your skin. The electrodes record information about your heart’s activity during your echocardiogram.

Before they use the ultrasound technology, the providers apply a gel to your chest that helps a transducer glide across your skin. The transducer is a handheld device that delivers sound waves through your skin. These sound waves bounce off your inner tissues to create pictures of your heart.

Throughout testing, your provider moves the transducer around your chest and views images of your heart on a monitor. You may need to breathe or move a certain way throughout the test, so your provider can get the clearest images.

What do the results of an echocardiogram mean?

The Coastal Cardiology of Orange County physicians can review the results of your echocardiogram with you during your appointment. If your results are normal, you won’t need any further testing and can resume your usual activities without any limitations.

If your provider identifies abnormalities in your heart during an echocardiogram, you may need more diagnostic testing. An abnormal echocardiogram can show:

• Weak or damaged heart valves
• Reduced pumping strength
• Heart muscle damage
• Congenital heart issues

If you have any heart issues that require medical care, Coastal Cardiology of Orange County offers customized treatment plans and surgery to address your condition.

To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of an echocardiogram, schedule a consultation at the Coastal Cardiology of Orange County office nearest you, or book an appointment online today.