Board Certified Cardiologist & Cardiovascular Physician located in Princeton, NJ & Hamilton Square, NJ
Echocardiography is one of the first diagnostic tests you have when symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and a racing or fluttering heartbeat suggest a cardiovascular problem. At NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton, New Jersey, Kintur Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, operates a fully equipped, IAC-certified lab offering echocardiography. With onsite testing, you receive quick and accurate information leading to a comprehensive diagnosis. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking tool today.
Echocardiography Q & A
What is echocardiography?
Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound to produce detailed moving images of your heart and blood vessels.
During echocardiography, a device called a transducer sends soundwaves into your body. As the soundwaves reach tissues and organs inside your body, they send an echo back to the transducer.
The transducer then transmits the information to a computer, which produces real-time images.
What type of echocardiography will I have?
There are several types of echocardiography:
Transthoracic
This is the most common type of ultrasound. Dr. Sanghvi simply places the transducer against your chest and moves it around over your heart to get the best image.
Transesophageal
To perform this ultrasound, Dr. Sanghvi uses a narrow transducer and gently guides it down your throat and into the esophagus. This technique typically produces better images because the soundwaves don’t travel through your skin.
Stress echocardiography
In this procedure, an exercise stress test is combined with echocardiography. First, you have the ultrasound, and then you do the stress test. When that test is finished, you have another ultrasound.
Dr. Sanghvi compares the before and after images to see changes in your heart when you’re active.
What does echocardiography reveal about my heart?
Echocardiography reveals a wealth of information about your heart. The ultrasound images show the structural information, such as the size and shape of the heart’s muscles, valves, and blood vessels. It also produces moving images that show how well the valves function and the muscles contract.
Echocardiography reveals:
Blood clots
Tumors
Chamber size
Muscle thickness
Blood vessel blockages
Areas of muscle damage
Pumping strength
Fluid buildup or inflammation
Blood vessel, valve, and muscle function
Another technique called a Doppler echocardiogram shows the movement of blood through your heart.
What heart conditions are diagnosed with echocardiography?
Echocardiography gives Dr. Sanghvi the information he needs to diagnose many cardiovascular conditions, including:
Heart failure
Inflamed pericardium
Fluid around the heart
Leaky heart valves
Heart valve narrowing (stenosis)
Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
Atrial fibrillation and other heart arrhythmias
Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis)
Muscle damage due to a heart attack
Dr. Sanghvi also uses echocardiography results to plan your treatment and assess the effectiveness of existing treatments or prior procedures.
When you experience symptoms that suggest a heart problem, you can get echocardiography done in the office at NJ Heart & Vascular Care. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking tool today.
