Echocardiogram
to Test Heart Muscle Strength
One of the tests that are taken to determine heart
disease is an ultrasound or an echocardiogram.
The Test
Echo and ultrasound, is used to penetrate into
the heart. Images created by the ultrasound waves are then shown
on a screen. These images are then measured and viewed by doctors,
to determine various aspects of the heart muscle.
Types Of Echocardiograms:
- M-mode Echocardiogram is useful in detecting
the exact sizes of the various heart structures, such as the thickness
of the myocardium or the size of the heart chambers.
- 2-D- the two dimensional Echocardiogram
shows two dimensions of the heart, as if the heart were split
in two. Most parts of the heart can be seen, and a good impression
of how well the heart is working can be established.
- Doppler ultra sound displays sound and
visual information about the blood flowing through the heart.
This determines whether the heart valves are functioning properly.
- Color Doppler this displays the blood
flow as colors on a 2 dimensional image; this can detect any abnormal
blood flows.
Aspects of the Hearts Health that are Shown by the Echocardiogram
- Heart size the echocardiogram can show
the size if the heart. Damaged heart valves, and high blood pressure
can cause the heart to enlarge. An enlarged heart is a sign of
a weakened heart
- Pumping strength- the echocardiogram
can determine the ejection farction, the stroke volume, and the
cardiac output. can be measured
- Damage to the heart muscle- the echocardiogram
can determine whether all portions of the ventricle walls are
contributing equally to the pumping activity. If they are not,
it may mean that they are receiving too little oxygen due to a
blocked coronary artery that is diseased. This can cause a heart
attack.
- Severe valve problems the echocardiogram
can show whether the blood is actually leaking back through a
valve, or whether the blood flow is impeded by a narrowed valve
input.
- Abnormalod flow patterns- the echocardiogram
can show if there are any blood flow abnormalities
- Heart structure abnormalities- the echocardiogram
can show if there are any abnormalities in the blood chambers,
valves, and in the connections between the heart and the major
blood vessels.
- Blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries-
the echocardiogram can calculate the amount of pressure that would
be required to make blood flow at a particular measured velocity.
Pulmonary hypertension can be measured this way.
The Procedure
The procedure is non-invasive. You get undressed
from the waist up, and a special gel is applied to the chest area
to improve the transmission of the ultrasound waves. A technician
then moves a microphone shaped transducer over the heart area.
The transducer is moved to several areas across
the chest in order to obtain images of the heart muscle from various
angles and views.
The test usually takes around 15 minutes, but
it can take longer if special angles and views have to be measured.
These are things that you can do to avoid the risk
of developing heart disease and begin living a healthy lifestyle.
- Losing weight and keeping the weight off through any type of
diet program that fits
your personality. and start
losing weight the healthy way.
- Exercising doing cardiovascular
exercises and resistance
exercises. Don't wait for a heart attack to occur before deciding
to exercise. Exercise knows no age barriers. Young and old must
get into an exercise program. If you need advice on how to start
you can ask the advice of online personal trainers.
- Reducing stress through various relaxation techniques
- Controlling your blood pressure,
through diets exercises, relaxation, vitamins and medications
if the need arises
- Reducing your cholesterol levels through exercise, vitamins,
natural cures, and statins if prescribed to do so by your doctor.
Whatever steps you take to improve your health you will never regret!
Why wait till its too late, begin living a heart
healthy lifestyle now.
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