What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive procedure that provides your doctor with moving pictures of your heart that will help him or her evaluate your heart health. A specially trained technician (cardiac sonographer) uses a gel to slide a microphone-like device called a transducer over the chest area. This allows reflected sound waves to provide a live picture of your heart and its valves.

Echocardiography uses the same technology that allows a doctor to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother. No radiation is involved and the technology can be used on people of all ages.

Why has my doctor ordered an echocardiogram?
Physicians use an echocardiogram to evaluate your heart's performance as well as the structure of the heart, including the heart chambers and the valves. An echo may also be used to look for the cause of a murmur, to check the size of the heart chambers, to check for fluid around the heart or to inspect the pumping capability of the heart if a patient has shortness of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during exertion.

How do I prepare for a stress echocardiogram?
No special preparation is required for a stress echocardiogram. You should come prepared to walk on a treadmill. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and loose-fitting clothing. Eat or drink as you normally do. If you take medications, you should continue to take them as normal unless your doctor specifies otherwise.

How long will the procedure take?
You should plan on being in the echo lab for about one hour.

What should I expect?

• Upon your arrival, you should sign in at the reception desk.
• You will then be asked to register in order to provide insurance information.
• You will then be escorted into an ultrasound room. The room will be dimly lit and contain an examination bed and an ultrasound machine.
• A brief explanation of the procedure will be given.
• You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up. Women will be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

For the procedure:

• You will be asked to lie on your left side.
• Electrodes and ECG wires will be placed on your chest. The sonographer will apply ultrasound gel to the transducer. This allows the ultrasound beams to penetrate your chest wall and produce a picture of your heart.
• The sonographer will take various recordings at several different locations around your chest, stomach and neck. During recording, you may be asked to change your position and to hold your breath. These variations in position allow the sonographer to obtain the best quality pictures. You should try to remain still and quiet during the examination.
• Following a resting echocardiogram, a treadmill test will be performed. You will be asked to walk on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored throughout the test and symptoms are evaluated.
• You will be walking on the treadmill for approximately 3-12 minutes. You will be asked to lie down immediately after exercise to allow the sonographer to take a few post-exercise images of your heart.

Who will be involved in the procedure?
Often the sonographer will review the study with a supervisor or a physician while you are still in the room. You should not be alarmed; the technique to acquire images of the heart is technically demanding, and sonographers frequently rely on the advice of others as they acquire these images.

The images and sounds of the exam will be recorded on a computer disk for later review. The study is interpreted by a cardiologist trained in reading echocardiograms. The cardiologist will provide your family physician with a written report. Often you will not be given any results for one or two days. The sonographer will not provide you with any results at the time of the examination.

Where is the procedure done?
Your procedure will be done at St. Francis Cardiovascular Services Lab, LLC, located on the first floor of the Indiana Heart Physicians medical office building, 5330 East Stop 11 Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana 46237.