Getting Ready for Your Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound to create images of your heart. The “echo” allows doctors to see how your blood is flowing and how well your heart valves are working. It’s an important tool for seeing the structure of your heart and how well it’s functioning.
To make sure the echocardiogram goes smoothly and provides accurate results, it’s important to prepare properly. Good preparation can even affect the quality of the images the test produces.
This guide will give you a comprehensive overview of what you need to do to get ready for your echocardiogram.
Understanding the Echocardiogram Procedure
What is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses ultrasound to create images of your heart. It’s often used to assess the structure of your heart and how well it’s functioning.
An echocardiogram can give your doctor a good look at your blood flow, heart valve function, the size of your heart chambers, and whether fluid is accumulating around your heart. It can also show changes to your heart’s size or pumping strength, damage to the heart, valve disease, and congenital defects.
Why is an Echocardiogram Performed?
Echocardiograms are performed for many reasons. They are commonly used for presurgical risk assessment and to diagnose heart conditions like hypertension, valve problems, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. They’re also used to screen athletes, evaluate the effectiveness of a particular treatment, and identify congenital heart defects.
Types of echocardiograms
There are several types of echocardiograms, and each one has a slightly different approach and preparation requirements.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
A transthoracic echo is the standard, noninvasive procedure that lets the technician examine your heart from outside your body. Usually, you won’t have to do anything special to get ready for a TTE, since it’s performed on the outside of your chest.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
A transesophageal echo gives the cardiologist a more detailed look at your heart and the major blood vessels around it. It’s often used when more information is needed than a TTE can provide. The TEE is performed from inside your esophagus.
Because it’s more invasive, it requires more preparation. Usually, you’ll be asked to fast for several hours before the procedure, and you may need to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echo assesses your heart function while you’re exercising or after you’ve been given medication to make your heart work harder.
It involves an exercise stress test as well as two echocardiograms, one before and one after the stress test. Because it involves more steps, it also requires more preparation than a TTE.
How to prepare for an echocardiogram
It’s important to follow any specific instructions you get from the facility where you’re having your echocardiogram. Instructions can change depending on the facility and the type of echo you’re having.
In general, you should:
- Tell the facility about all medications. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Ask if any of them could affect the test. You may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications.
- Ask about food and drink. You may need to avoid eating or drinking anything for a few hours before the test, especially if you’re having a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). The facility may also advise you to avoid caffeine and alcohol before and after a TEE.
- Tell the facility about allergies and health conditions. Make sure they know about any allergies you have and any other health conditions you’re managing.
What to wear and bring
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to your echocardiography appointment. You may want to leave your jewelry at home, or remove it when you arrive.
Also, remember to bring these essential items:
- Your insurance card
- A photo ID
These items will help the check-in process go smoothly, so that you can focus on your heart health.
Day of the procedure: What to expect
Your doctor’s office will give you specific instructions about how to prepare for your echocardiogram, but here’s a general idea of what to expect on the day of the test.
Arriving at the facility
Try to arrive at the testing site a few minutes early, so you have plenty of time to check in at the reception desk.
During the echocardiogram
With a transthoracic echocardiogram, you’ll be asked to remove your shirt and put on a hospital gown. A technician will attach ECG leads to your body to monitor your heart rhythm. Then, you’ll lie on your left side as the technician moves an ultrasound wand over your chest to capture images of your heart.
With a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), a probe will be inserted down your esophagus, and you may be given a sedative to help you relax. With a stress echocardiogram, you’ll be asked to exercise while your heart function is monitored.
Post-procedure
After the test, the technician will clean the gel off your chest and remove the ECG leads. You’ll be given your results, along with instructions for follow-up care. If you had a TEE, you may have a sore throat or some difficulty swallowing. Since sedation is often used during a TEE, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.
In Conclusion
Preparing for an echocardiogram may seem like a chore, but following the instructions you receive from the medical staff can make all the difference in the quality of the results. Listen carefully to the instructions they give you.
In general, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothing, remove any jewelry that might get in the way, and let the medical staff know about any medications you’re taking or allergies you have. Depending on the type of echo you’re having, you may also need to follow specific guidelines about food and drink.
Proper preparation helps ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible, so you can get the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.