feeling of heartbeat interruptions
Standard method, where the sensor is applied to the chest
The echocardiography or the ultrasound of the heart is the safe and precise examination, allowing the doctor to study the condition of the heart muscle. By using the ultrasound, the doctor can observe the heart functioning on a real time basis: assess the thickness of the walls, condition of the valves, blood flow velocity etc.
The echocardiography is mixed with the electrocardiogram (ECG), which registers the electrical fields, coming from the heart, frequency and regularity of its contractions.
The ultrasound of the heart allows the doctor to study the heart condition in detail as per more parameters than ECG.
During the echocardiography, the doctor assesses:
In addition, the echocardiography allows detecting the clots, cicatrices and cholesterol plaques.
By using the ultrasound of the heart, the cardiologist can quickly and precisely exclude heart defects, myocarditis, heart failure, aneurisms, ischemic heart disease, heartbeat arrhythmia etc. In addition, the ultrasound of the heart is used for assessing the results of performed heart surgeries.
The conclusion, received after the examination, contains many indicators, the independent studying of which will not give any understanding of the essence of the problem. That is why if you even made appointment for examination, it is better to consult the doctor as per results of echocardiography. During the visit, the cardiologist will listen to your complaints, study the examination data, explain its results to you, will say if there are any reasons for worrying.
In most cases, the echocardiography is ordered by the cardiologist;
however, you can undergo the examination independently, if you have:
feeling of heartbeat interruptions
pain in the heart area
rapid heartbeat
shortness of breath
problems with blood pressure
dizziness and loss of consciousness
numbness of arms and legs
skin lividity
Before performing a cardiac echocardiogram, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules:
On the day of the test, do not drink beverages with high caffeine content, as this can increase heart rate and affect the results.
Avoid strenuous physical activity that may affect your heart rate for a few hours before the procedure.
It is advisable to perform an ultrasound of the baby's heart when the baby is at rest. You can do this after feeding so that the baby is relaxed.
Typically, patients undergo a standard non-invasive ultrasound. Transesophageal echocardiography of the heart is prescribed for more complex diagnoses, when other diagnostic methods do not provide sufficient information.
Depending on the characteristics of the examination, the following types of echocardiography of the heart are distinguished:
Standard method, where the sensor is applied to the chest
For a more detailed examination of the heart structure, a probe is inserted into the esophagus.
Heart ultrasound, which is performed during or after physical exertion to assess the heart's performance during activity.
Cardiac ultrasound in infants and children is a safe and informative method that allows you to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. The procedure is performed in a similar way as in adults, but in the case of infants or young children, the presence of a parent may be required to calm the child. In infants, the procedure is sometimes performed while the child is sleeping or immediately after feeding, so that the child is as calm as possible, which is important for obtaining accurate examination results.
The ultrasound of the heart is conducted by the experienced and qualified diagnosticians on the expert class scan, manufactured by the Philips. It allows obtaining only precise and accurate results.
The echocardiography is a safe examination, which can be conducted even for pregnant women, newborn babies and aged people. The examination is performed by previous appointment and takes not more than half an hour.
The ultrasound does not require any special preparation, it is just enough before the examination not to be nervous, to avoid strenuous physical activities, not to drink alcohol, caffeine-based products and clarify the intake of medications with the doctor, because they can influence the results of the examination.
The health condition of the whole organism depends on the health of heart and cardiovascular system; that is why if you have any suspicion of heart problems, do not delay the visit to a doctor and examination.
You can make appointment for the ultrasound of the heat by calling us or filling in the form on our website.
The ultrasound of the heart is conducted by the experienced and qualified diagnosticians on the expert class scan, manufactured by the Philips. It allows obtaining only precise and accurate results.
The echocardiography is a safe examination, which can be conducted even for pregnant women, newborn babies and aged people. The examination is performed by previous appointment and takes not more than half an hour.
The ultrasound does not require any special preparation, it is just enough before the examination not to be nervous, to avoid strenuous physical activities, not to drink alcohol, caffeine-based products and clarify the intake of medications with the doctor, because they can influence the results of the examination.
The health condition of the whole organism depends on the health of heart and cardiovascular system; that is why if you have any suspicion of heart problems, do not delay the visit to a doctor and examination.
You can make appointment for the ultrasound of the heat by calling us or filling in the form on our website.
The procedure takes 15-30 minutes. The patient lies on a couch, and the doctor places a sensor on the chest to obtain a real-time image of the heart. Ultrasound is a painless and safe examination.
If it is a standard transthoracic ultrasound, there are no food restrictions. However, for a transesophageal ultrasound, it is recommended to refrain from eating 4-6 hours before the examination.
Before a standard cardiac ultrasound, you should avoid strenuous exercise and caffeine. Before a transesophageal ultrasound, you should not eat for several hours before the procedure.
No special preparation is required for a standard ultrasound. It is advisable only not to drink beverages with a high caffeine content on the day of the examination, and to avoid heavy physical activity a few hours before the examination.
Cardiac ultrasound is a safe method and can be performed as often as recommended by your doctor, especially if you have diseases that require regular monitoring.
Heart ultrasound can be done at the Oxford Medical clinic. We employ experienced specialists and use modern equipment that ensures accurate diagnostics.
You can make an appointment for a heart ultrasound by phone or by filling out the form on the website.