On monday im having an echocardiogram for the first time?

Question

what do they do? what should i expect? how long does it take? Im a 20yr old female in wisconsin

Answer 1

It takes about 30 minutes, you will lie on your back and they will use ultrasound to check your heart valves and ventricles, a little goopy gel will be applied your your chest and you may be asked to lie on your side for a little while. A good technician will let you look at the monitor if you wish and explain what you are seeing. It's pretty cool.

Answer 2

It does not take much longer than 30 minutes. They will use a standard ultrasound machine and transducer to look at your heart, valves, and blood vessels. The worst part is that they will have to look in between your ribs to look at the heart. This can be a little unpleasant. They will take a couple of views and various measurements but I can tell you this, it is not invasive, no needles or knives and that's not bad. You'll do fine, just relax and ask them some questions after it's done. They will probably let you see your own heart as it beats. Pretty Cool!

Answer 3

An echo, as I understand it, is an ultrasound of the heart that follows the flow of blood into and around the heart. You will spend a great part of the test lying on your side and probably wont get to see the images unless you strain your neck. I am assuming that you have had some unexplained chest pain or other heart-related issues that has caused concern? Good Luck

Answer 4

Let me put you at ease its pain free no needles at all.You will be ask to remove your shirt and put on one of those sexy hospital gowns. You will lie on a table and they will dim the lights. They will take a peice of plastic that resembles a t.v. remote with a wire attached and put some jell on your chest. They will move that remote along different areas of your chest. Usually it takes about 30 minutes. This machine is using sound waves to take pictures of the different chambers of your heart and arteries. Its a breeze.