Good Afternoon,You are almost to the day of your test so hang on and try not to overthink the test. Ultrasound waves used in performing the echocardiogram are not audible to the human ear, so you will not hear the sound waves. Structures will be displayed in “real-time” and appear as white moving objects on the screen. For example, the valves of the heart will look like white flap-like moving structures. Areas of the heart where there is fluid or blood look black on the screen.
During the exam, you will notice the sonographer placing marks on the screen with small computer calipers. The sonographer uses the calipers to perform various measurements of the size, function and blood flow of the heart.
An echocardiogram exam usually includes a Doppler recording of the blood movement or flow within the heart. When color flow Doppler is used in the exam it will appear as different colors moving within the white and black images on the monitor. The different colors represent the different speeds and directions of blood flow in the heart.
Doppler examinations often also include an audio signal of the blood flow. These audio signals can be heard and seen. During the audio Doppler recording, you will hear the sound of the blood moving through the heart and the sound of the heart valves opening and closing. You will hear a whoosing sound. The audio signals are also displayed as a graph on the monitor. These graphic recordings help the physician to determine valve function and heart pressures.
The sonographer will not provide you with any results at the time of the examination.
I know it is hard to wait for the results but remember if the cardiologist sees anything serious you will get a phone call so this is a case of no news is good news.
Big breath and don't let your mind get stuck in high anxiety.
Kindly,
Kitt