Echo test female

Ejection fraction is a measurement doctors use to calculate the percentage of blood that leaves your heart each time it contracts. As your heart beats, it pumps (ejects) blood into your body from the two lower muscular chambers, known as the left and right ventricles. Between beats, when your heart relaxes, the two ventricles fill up with blood. However, it takes more than a single contraction to pump all the blood out of a ventricle. Ejection fraction is a test your doctor can use to determine the percentage of blood that leaves the left ventricle each time your heart beats, and to understand how well your heart works. Ejection fraction can help diagnose heart failure. Generally, your left ventricle is the one measured for ejection fraction. It does the heavy lifting in your body, pumping blood to almost all your major organs. However, current An accurate left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) reading can be measured through a variety of imaging techniques. The most common ejection fraction testing measures include: • Echocardiogram. An • Cardiac MRI (C-MRI). A C-MRI is an image-based test that uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your heart. • Cardiac catheterization. In • Cardiac nuclear medicine scan. Trace amounts of radioactive materials are injected into your bloodstream. They’re then detected by cameras that produce images of your heart and its mechanisms. • Cardiac CT scan. This X-ray procedure can give a r...

Overview What is an exercise stress echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, or echo, is a test that shows how well your An exercise stress echo assesses your heart’s function when it’s beating fast. You create this “stress” by exercising on a treadmill or bicycle. This test is also commonly called stress echo or echo stress test. Are there other types of stress tests? Other types of • Exercise stress electrocardiogram: This test uses an • Nuclear exercise stress test: In this For people who cannot exercise, there are two alternate ways to create stress on the heart. Providers use these methods for stress echocardiograms, EKGs and nuclear tests: • Pharmacological stress test: This test uses medications, including • Pacing stress test: You may receive this test if you have a When is an echo stress test performed? Healthcare providers use exercise stress echocardiograms most often to diagnose Stress echo can help diagnose or monitor the status of other conditions, such as: • • • • • Who should have a stress echo test? You may receive this test if you have symptoms of heart disease, especially if they get worse with activity. These symptoms include: • • • • Other people who might have an exercise stress echocardiogram include: • Athletes. • People who are about to have surgery. • People exposed to extreme conditions, such as when diving or at high altitudes. Who should not have a stress echo test? A stress echo might be unsafe if you have certain heart conditions, such as: • • Infl...

What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, or “echo” as it is often called, is a test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create pictures, videos and tracings of your heart. The test is also referred to as “echocardiography” or “diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.” • An echo uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves and walls, as well as the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart. • A probe called a transducer is held onto your chest and operated by a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer. The probe produces sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe. These sound waves are changed into pictures and data viewed on a digital video monitor. • If your doctor has ordered a “bubble study” or “agitated saline study,” an IV will be placed in your arm by a nurse. A cardiologist will inject saline with a very small amount of air mixed into the form of microbubbles. These microbubbles will help to identify if there are any abnormal connections or holes within the cardiac structure. This procedure has no side effects and is completely harmless. An echo may consist of any combination of the following: • M-mode echocardiogram. This is the simplest type of echocardiogram. It produces an image that is similar to a tracing rather than an actual picture of heart structures. M-mode echo is useful for measuring heart structures, such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size of the heart itself and t...

What is stress echocardiography? A stress echocardiography, also called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working. During a stress echocardiography, you’ll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm. When your heart rate reaches peak levels, your doctor will take Your doctor may order a stress echocardiography test if you have The test can also tell your doctor how well treatments such as bypass grafting, This test usually occurs in an echocardiography laboratory, or echo lab, but it can also occur in your doctor’s office or other medical setting. It normally takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Before you take the test, you should do the following: • Make sure not to eat or drink anything for three to four hours before the test. • Don’t smoke on the day of the test because nicotine can interfere with your heart rate. • Don’t drink coffee or take any medications that contain caffeine without checking with your doctor. • If you take medications, ask your doctor whether you should take them on the day of the test. You shouldn’t take certain heart medications, such as • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Because you will exercise, make sure to wear good walking or running shoes. Resting echocardiography Your doctor needs to see how your heart functions while you’re at rest to get an accurate idea of how it’s working. Your doc...

Overview A stress test shows how the heart works during physical activity. It also may be called a stress exercise test. Exercise makes the heart pump harder and faster. A stress test can show problems with blood flow within the heart. A stress test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. A health care provider watches your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing during the test. People who can't exercise may be given a medicine that creates the effects of exercise. Why it's done A health care provider may recommend a stress test to: • Diagnose coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary artery disease develops when these arteries get damaged or diseased. Cholesterol deposits in the heart arteries and inflammation usually cause coronary artery disease. • Diagnose heart rhythm problems. A heart rhythm problem is called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat too fast or too slowly. • Guide treatment of heart disorders. If you've already been diagnosed with a heart condition, an exercise stress test can help your provider know if your treatment is working. The test results also help your provider decide on the best treatment for you. • Check the heart before surgery. A stress test can help show if surgery, such as a valve replacement or a heart transplant, might be a safe treatment. If an exercise stress test doesn't show the cause of symptoms, y...

A In women, a pelvic ultrasound is used to view the: • • Fallopian tubes • • Uterus • • In men, it's used to view the: • Bladder • • Seminal vesicles (glands that add fluid to semen) This test is called by a few other names, including: • Gynecologic ultrasound • Pelvic scan • Pelvic sonography • Transabdominal • Transvaginal ultrasound • Transrectal ultrasound • Endovaginal ultrasound Who Might Get It In women, doctors can use a pelvic ultrasound to: • Find problems with the structure of your uterus or ovaries • Look for • Find an intrauterine device ( • Look for growths like noncancerous tumors, • Discover the cause of • Evaluate or treat • Monitor your baby's growth during • Check for • Diagnose an • Find a tissue sample to remove from your uterus during an In men, a pelvic ultrasound can be used to: • Check for problems with the bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles • Find bladder tumors or stones Preparation If you are having a transabdominal ultrasound, your bladder will need to be full. You'll drink about 32 ounces -- or four 8-ounce glasses -- of water or another clear fluid at least 1 hour before the test. A full bladder makes your organs show up more clearly on the picture. You can use the bathroom after the procedure. A transvaginal ultrasound is done with an empty bladder. You'll use the bathroom before the test. Wear loose, comfortable clothes to the exam. You might need to wear a gown during the procedure. How It's Done A pelvic ultrasound uses a devic...

A In women, a pelvic ultrasound is used to view the: • • Fallopian tubes • • Uterus • • In men, it's used to view the: • Bladder • • Seminal vesicles (glands that add fluid to semen) This test is called by a few other names, including: • Gynecologic ultrasound • Pelvic scan • Pelvic sonography • Transabdominal • Transvaginal ultrasound • Transrectal ultrasound • Endovaginal ultrasound Who Might Get It In women, doctors can use a pelvic ultrasound to: • Find problems with the structure of your uterus or ovaries • Look for • Find an intrauterine device ( • Look for growths like noncancerous tumors, • Discover the cause of • Evaluate or treat • Monitor your baby's growth during • Check for • Diagnose an • Find a tissue sample to remove from your uterus during an In men, a pelvic ultrasound can be used to: • Check for problems with the bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles • Find bladder tumors or stones Preparation If you are having a transabdominal ultrasound, your bladder will need to be full. You'll drink about 32 ounces -- or four 8-ounce glasses -- of water or another clear fluid at least 1 hour before the test. A full bladder makes your organs show up more clearly on the picture. You can use the bathroom after the procedure. A transvaginal ultrasound is done with an empty bladder. You'll use the bathroom before the test. Wear loose, comfortable clothes to the exam. You might need to wear a gown during the procedure. How It's Done A pelvic ultrasound uses a devic...

What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, or “echo” as it is often called, is a test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create pictures, videos and tracings of your heart. The test is also referred to as “echocardiography” or “diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.” • An echo uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves and walls, as well as the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart. • A probe called a transducer is held onto your chest and operated by a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer. The probe produces sound waves that bounce off your heart and “echo” back to the probe. These sound waves are changed into pictures and data viewed on a digital video monitor. • If your doctor has ordered a “bubble study” or “agitated saline study,” an IV will be placed in your arm by a nurse. A cardiologist will inject saline with a very small amount of air mixed into the form of microbubbles. These microbubbles will help to identify if there are any abnormal connections or holes within the cardiac structure. This procedure has no side effects and is completely harmless. An echo may consist of any combination of the following: • M-mode echocardiogram. This is the simplest type of echocardiogram. It produces an image that is similar to a tracing rather than an actual picture of heart structures. M-mode echo is useful for measuring heart structures, such as the heart's pumping chambers, the size of the heart itself and t...

What is stress echocardiography? A stress echocardiography, also called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working. During a stress echocardiography, you’ll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm. When your heart rate reaches peak levels, your doctor will take Your doctor may order a stress echocardiography test if you have The test can also tell your doctor how well treatments such as bypass grafting, This test usually occurs in an echocardiography laboratory, or echo lab, but it can also occur in your doctor’s office or other medical setting. It normally takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Before you take the test, you should do the following: • Make sure not to eat or drink anything for three to four hours before the test. • Don’t smoke on the day of the test because nicotine can interfere with your heart rate. • Don’t drink coffee or take any medications that contain caffeine without checking with your doctor. • If you take medications, ask your doctor whether you should take them on the day of the test. You shouldn’t take certain heart medications, such as • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Because you will exercise, make sure to wear good walking or running shoes. Resting echocardiography Your doctor needs to see how your heart functions while you’re at rest to get an accurate idea of how it’s working. Your doc...

Overview What is an exercise stress echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, or echo, is a test that shows how well your An exercise stress echo assesses your heart’s function when it’s beating fast. You create this “stress” by exercising on a treadmill or bicycle. This test is also commonly called stress echo or echo stress test. Are there other types of stress tests? Other types of • Exercise stress electrocardiogram: This test uses an • Nuclear exercise stress test: In this For people who cannot exercise, there are two alternate ways to create stress on the heart. Providers use these methods for stress echocardiograms, EKGs and nuclear tests: • Pharmacological stress test: This test uses medications, including • Pacing stress test: You may receive this test if you have a When is an echo stress test performed? Healthcare providers use exercise stress echocardiograms most often to diagnose Stress echo can help diagnose or monitor the status of other conditions, such as: • • • • • Who should have a stress echo test? You may receive this test if you have symptoms of heart disease, especially if they get worse with activity. These symptoms include: • • • • Other people who might have an exercise stress echocardiogram include: • Athletes. • People who are about to have surgery. • People exposed to extreme conditions, such as when diving or at high altitudes. Who should not have a stress echo test? A stress echo might be unsafe if you have certain heart conditions, such as: • • Infl...