Here Are the Reasons Why You May Need an Echocardiogram

An echo is an ultrasound performed on the heart to take a closer look at its size, structure, and overall functioning. Doctors use the exam if they suspect a heart condition related to the symptoms you are experiencing. Additionally, they may recommend it as a precaution, especially if you are at a high risk or as a follow-up after a procedure on your heart. If you need an echocardiogram in Upper East Side as a checkup or treatment procedure, book an appointment online with Upper East Side Cardiology. Here are the common reasons for the ultrasound:

Heart attack

Heart attacks could cause severe side effects even after recovering. Therefore, if you have experienced one recently, you should get an echocardiogram performed to check your heart’s functioning. The echo will check whether parts of the heart are dead, a blockage in blood flow, or the strength of your heart muscles.

Heart murmur

In a regular health checkup of treatment, the doctor may discover that you have a heart murmur. Usually, they should not raise a concern as they are harmless and easily treatable. However, the doctor may still request a further checkup as they could be a sign of more severe conditions such as heart defect or injury. The test is done to establish the cause.

Chest pains

Heart pains have a series of causes. However, for the doctor to determine the cause, they have to carry out an echocardiogram. The pain could result from a lack of sufficient blood in your heart muscle, panic attack, indigestion, lung infection, or torn arteries. Establishing the cause is essential to begin treatment.

Heart valve disease

Valves are crucial to controlling blood flow in and out of the heart. Therefore, a malfunction could mean that blood will keep backing up in different parts, depending on the valve affected. This overworks the heart and causes damage in the long run. The doctor may request to check your heart’s functioning if you have had a heart valve disease any time in the past. This will check whether the disease has affected your heart.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used in cancer treatment to kill cancer cells. Therefore, almost anyone with cancer has to undergo this procedure. The treatment could also cause varying damage to the heart. For this reason, your doctor may request an echocardiogram before and after the procedure. An echo helps adjust chemotherapy treatment and follow up on your heart’s health.

Stroke

Individuals experience a stroke after a blood clot or a broken blood vessel that prevents normal blood flow to their brain. Strokes are mostly caused by a common blood clot known as cardioembolism. Therefore, doctors may require you to perform an echocardiogram if you have recently had a stroke or they predict a stroke due to existing heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation. 

You do not have to prepare in advance of an echocardiogram. It is an easy procedure that will be carried out fast, allowing you to resume your normal routine. It is essential to begin treatment or as a routine checkup to maintain your overall health. Consult Upper East Side Cardiology for an echocardiogram and treatment of heart conditions.