How Upper East Side Doctors Use Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a useful ultrasound image of your heart. It helps the doctor in diagnosing a variety of heart problems. Some conditions that can be confirmed after echocardiography are damaged cardiac tissues, stiffened heart muscles, enlarged chambers, blood clots, formation of fluid around the heart, poorly functioning heart valves, etc. 

If you are uncomfortable and worried about your heart health, now is the time to consult Dr. Satjit Bhusri, MD, at Upper East Side Cardiology in Manhattan. The qualified and experienced team of East Side Cardiology provides advanced cardiac care for New York City residents. Also, if you need an echocardiogram Upper East Side, the qualified staff and the fully equipped facility of Upper East Side Cardiology are perfectly suitable. 

What does a doctor see in an echocardiogram?

• Size and thickness of heart chambers
• Functioning of heart valves
• Direction of blood flow in the heart
• Blood clots in the heart
• Weak or damaged cardiac muscles
• Causes for a stroke

Echocardiography is even used to determine the general health of a person’s heart, especially after a stroke or heart attack. 

What more does an echocardiogram show?

• Any type of congenital heart condition a person is born with
• Cardiomyopathy
• Infective endocarditis
• Pericardial disease
• Valve disease

Furthermore, it can even point such changes in the heart that indicate:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Blood clots
• A cardiac tumor

In addition, if a patient has received a disturbing or abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG) result, the reason for the same is determined with the help of an echocardiogram. 

Preparing for the test

If the test is supposed to be conducted from outside, no specific preparation is needed on your part. However, if your Upper East Side healthcare professional is getting a transesophageal echocardiogram. In that case, you will be asked to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least six hours before the test. You can resume eating after one or two hours of the test or when the local anesthesia wears off. 

Side effects of the test

Generally, there are no severe side effects associated with the test. However, some patients experience gag reflexes when the sonographer inserts the tube down the throat for a transesophageal electrocardiogram. In rare cases, getting a transesophageal echocardiogram can damage vocal cords, throat or esophagus. 

Besides, the use of local anesthesia and sedatives can cause the following concerns for some patients:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Allergic reactions

All in all, echocardiography is an important test that tells your doctor much about your heart health. It is best not to delay the test once your Upper East Side physician orders it. Also, as far as side effects are concerned, keep in mind no test or medical procedure is entirely risk-free. So, do not worry about it or hesitate for the same reason. If it is necessary, get an echocardiogram immediately.