Echocardiogram?- UPDATE

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julie

New member
Has anyone ever had one done? I know I could read up on the test online but I prefer to hear personal accounts and quite honestly, I don't feel like doing any research right now. IF anyone would like to let me know what it entails, what you had to do/didn't do. Does it hurt??? Whatever else you can think of.

I have one on Tuesday and I'm not nervous per se, but just kind of curious and I haven't the patients to research it right now.

Thanks everyone...
 
T

thelizardqueen

New member
Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram can be obtained in a physician's office or in the hospital. For a resting echocardiogram (in contrast to a stress echo or TEE, discussed elsewhere) no special preparation is necessary. Clothing from the upper body is removed and covered by a gown or sheet to keep you comfortable and maintain the privacy of females. The patient then lies on an examination table or a hospital bed

Sticky patches or electrodes are attached to the chest and shoulders and connected to electrodes or wires. These help to record the electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) during the echocardiography test. The EKG helps in the timing of various cardiac events (filling and emptying of chambers). A colorless gel is then applied to the chest and the echo transducer is placed on top of it. The echo technologist then makes recordings from different parts of the chest to obtain several views of the heart. You may be asked to move form your back and to the side. Instructions may also be given for you to breathe slowly or to hold your breath. This helps in obtaining higher quality pictures. The images are constantly viewed on the monitor. It is also recorded on photographic paper and on videotape. The tape offers a permanent record of the examination and is reviewed by the physician prior to completion of the final report.

A brief examination in an uncomplicated case may be done within 15 to 20 minutes. The additional use of Doppler may add an additional 10 to 20 minutes. However, it may take up to an hour when there are multiple problems or when there are technical problems (for example, patients with lung disease, obesity, restlessness, and significant shortness of breath may be more difficult to image).

If a doctor is present during the test or reviews it while you are still in the office, you may be able to get the results before you leave. However, the doctor is not routinely present during the test and you may have to wait from one to several days before the images have been reviewed by a physician and the results are sent to you by phone or mail.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echocardiogram
">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echocardiogram
</a>
Hope this helps you a bit Julie.
 
L

ladybug

New member
Echocardiogram?

Liz gave a perfect description! No problem at all! Its actually pretty relaxing, I thought. What are you having this done for, Julie? Hope nothing's wrong.
 
L

luke

Guest
Echocardiogram?

Julie,

Echos are pretty much like the sonograms you have been having, they just are of the heart rather than 3 babies. So you know what they are like, you just didn't realize it.

luke
 
J

julie

New member
Echocardiogram?

Thanks for that info Liz. It's out there, I know that but I just didn't feel like researching it (which is SO unlike me, I must be getting tired, I am starting to slow down a bit now.... too pregnant I guess) I really appreciate it!!!

Sonia, I was having chest pain last week in the middle of the night. Really bad chest pain that was stretching out to my arm and up my neck. Mark though maybe I was just laying in a strange position and it was nothing to worry about. But then I had it again the next night. Not nearly as bad, but it didn't feel right. So I mentioned it to my OB last week and she scheduled me for an EKG, just to be sure. The EKG found, "unspecified changes". SHe didn't know what that meant so she consulted with a local cardiologist. He was concerned about they type of pain I was explaining, plus with this pregnancy I've developed a heart murmur (not abnormal during pregnany, especially one with multiples) so that in combination with the chest pain, my age, and an abnormal EKG, he wanted to see me right away for an echo.

Don't know what's up yet, but I'll post an update as soon as I know. I go in tomorrow (tuesday) in the afternoon so I probably won't know anything until Wednesday.

Thanks luke, so pretty much an ultrasound of the heart. I was thinking it might be somewhat invasive but I'm happy to hear it's not!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks.

I'll make sure I look at the screen and watch it pumping Laura, it does sound interesting!!

Thanks Mel <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
J

Jenica

Guest
Echocardiogram?

Ellie had an echocardiogram for a murmer when she was about 4 months old, and the only painful part was for me, trying to keep her perfectly still for two minutes to get a good read. Does ANYONE think it is possible to keep a 4 month old still for 10 seconds, let alone 160?

We're actually going back next Tuesday for the same thing, and I'm guessing that it won't be any easier.

I hope you get the answers you need, and that the pain goes away. It is so amazing what pregancy can do to your body, and hopefully this is a benign murmer and your next EKG results come back normal.

Keep us informed!
 
L

ladybug

New member
Echocardiogram?

Julie,
I hope things work out for you with this, and it turns out to be absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. I'll be thinking and praying for you. Please do keep us posted. And, get some much needed rest in the meantime! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
J

julie

New member
Echocardiogram?

Thanks Jenica and Sonai. I'll keep you guys updated!!

Good luck kepping your little one still Jenica, sounds like fun <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
D

Debi

New member
Echocardiogram?

I had one done about 8 years ago. I remember it as being very relaxing. The room had low lights, very soothing. Nothing invasive. Fascinating to watch. Best wishes that it all just turns out to be some temporary fluke.

Debi
54 w/cf
 
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brownie

New member
Echocardiogram?

I had one done about a month ago. I was not worried at all going into it, but it was very painfull for me. The techinician pushed so hard that I thought my ribs were going to break. I was bruised and sore for about a week. I should have asked you all first what to expect so I could have told him to take it easy. Julie I hope all goes well for you.

Charlene
 
J

julie

New member
Echocardiogram?

My echo went well, a big huge plus for me was that the woman doing my echo was also pregnant and did all she could do to make me comfortable. She was SO nice!

The doc called with the results today. Both the EKG that I had last week and yesterday (before the echo) were abnormal, but the echo itself was great so he says there's nothing long term to worry about. They see this on occasion with pregnancy, much more often with multiples and I do need to be aware of discomfort, shortness of breath...typical heart stuff and come if in something "doesn't feel right" but as far as he's concerned, my heart is functioning just as it should.

Thanks to everyone for all the information on the procedure and the well wishes. I really appreaciate it, it's nice to know others are thinking about you!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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