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Original poster

echocardiogram, what's it like?

59 replies

SnowyMouse · 02/04/2019 18:34

I'm due to have an echocardiogram very soon, what is it like? what do they do and how long does it take?

OP posts:
AlexaAmbidextra · 03/04/2019 07:10

Electrodes check the heart rhythm Alexa.

I’ve had a straightforward echo twice and on neither occasion did I have any pads on my chest.

sashh · 03/04/2019 07:32

It's an ultrasound, the machine used is often the same model as for pregnancy but with different software and different transducers.

Ultrasound does not penetrate bone or air so unlike pregnancy where you have a small to large target with not much in the way you have a target about the size of a fist hidden behind lungs and ribs.

The same gel is used as for i pregnancy so don't wear your best silk shirt.

You may or may not have electrodes on your chest, it depends on the person doing the test and what they are looking for.

You will probably start off on your side with your hand over your head, the transducer (the bit the tech holds) will be pressed against the gap between your third and fourth rib. It might be a little painful because the transducer needs to be in contact with flesh but also needs to be aimed around lung and ribs.

There will be more recordings made from what will feel like under your left boob, this is to get a different angle.

You may then be asked to lie flat and have recordings made from under your rib cage with the transducer pointing at your neck and also from your throat - this is the one most people feel uncomfortable with but it is quick.

Measurements will be made, probably while you are there, but may be doe after.

The tech, actually they are now called physiologists, will measure the size and function of both ventricles and the valves.

For patients it is mainly boring and at time uncomfortable as you have to be positioned where you can't see the screen.

This is the one test it is easier if you have a light amount of padding.

An echo is more sophisticated than an ECG as it draws a picture of how the heart is working rather than giving a readout. I found it fascinating to see my heart working on the screen...

It's a totally different test measuring totally different things, the ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, that can indicate some structures. An echo actually measures things like the thickness of the ventricle wall, or the shape of a valve.

Guess what I used to do for a living?

Original poster
SnowyMouse · 04/04/2019 21:23

Thanks very much sashh, that was really thorough and helpful Smile

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Heart disease
LoveMySituation · 06/04/2019 00:18

Sorry to derail thread. I have a first appointment at a cardiac clinic soon. Does anyone know what to expect. I'm worried that what I'm experiencing won't happen on the day, and I will be in the same place I am now. And back on the merry-go-round of useless Dr visits

FoxSquadKitten · 08/04/2019 19:08

At my Ds's first cardiac appt they gave him an ECG and an echo. They also put a 24hr heart monitor on him (he was having an occasional racing heart) but they never managed to catch it.
We were told to go to hospital if ever he had it again but by the time we ever got to hospital it had stopped 🙄
We went around the houses for months @LoveMySituation, it was only when I called an ambulance one time that they managed to catch it on an ECG and then the treatment began.....
Don't give up!

Original poster
SnowyMouse · 08/04/2019 19:55

I had an ECG and an echo. I'm going to have a 24hr monitor at some point. The echo can be reassuring as far as structures go.

OP posts:
LoveMySituation · 08/04/2019 20:14

Thank you both. I think I'm up to my 5th ECG, have had the 24 hour one too. Nothing has come up, even though I'm feeling awful most of the time, and can just about do what needs to be done.

FoxSquadKitten · 09/04/2019 08:45

I assume you've had bloods taken lovemysituation?
Definitely push for a scan as that has shown up all sorts on my DS's one and yet his ECGs are always normal.

LoveMySituation · 09/04/2019 19:04

Oh really Fox, that's reassuring to know that things show up. Your poor ds though. I think that is what is going to happen, though the letter said they try to do as many things as possible whilst you're there. Yes, I've had bloods, but I'm not sure they were tested for specific heart related issues. When you say scan do you mean echo? Or another, like mri?

FoxSquadKitten · 09/04/2019 20:20

Yes, sorry I meant echo. His first one showed up he had Wpw which he has now had treated with an operation. Then he's had a more recent one that has shown up other things that the first one didn't show up. I think it depends on who you get doing the scan on the day and how thorough they are.

Good luck with it, I'm sure if there's anything wrong they will find it on the echo.

LoveMySituation · 10/04/2019 15:51

Thanks Fox, what's wpw if you don't mind me asking? That's not good that he needed another one to show up everything.
Hope he is doing better now

FoxSquadKitten · 10/04/2019 19:50

Wpw is basically an extra bit in his heart that sometimes caused a 'short-circuit' in the rhythm and caused his heart to randomly race (sometimes over 200 bpm). He had an ablation op which destroyed the pathway and, touch wood, he hasn't had it since.
I think the first sonographer was so busy concentrating on this problem that he didn't notice the other things which are very mild apparently but may change as he gets older.

What are the problems/symptoms you are having, love?

LoveMySituation · 10/04/2019 22:48

That was good that it was sorted out relatively easily and hopefully forever as opposed to masking it with meds, as so often seems to happen with heart things

I'm having dizzy spells, chest pains, feeling faint, palpitations, breathlessness and generally feeling awful. All relatively suddenly. I have ocd too so it was very hard to get them to take me seriously, even though I told them this was nothing like the symptoms that I am all too used to having

FoxSquadKitten · 11/04/2019 11:07

That's the trouble with some heart conditions, a lot of the symptoms are similar to anxiety-type illnesses. I remember the Dr asking my DS if he was stressed/worried about anything and that was what was causing his heart to race 🙄

I also started having palpitations, breathlessness and assumed it was my heart but it turned out to be low iron levels. Apparently the range of normal is very large so can often be overlooked by Drs until it's dangerously low. Lack of Vitamin D can cause you to feel dreadful too. How old are you? I know it's a cop-out but the menopause can cause similar symptoms.

Well I hope you find some answers soon and maybe an echo will show up something or at least put your mind at rest.

ABC1234DEF · 11/04/2019 11:14

LoveMySituation definitely push for an echo.
My ECG comes back normal every single time (I have had about 12 in the last 12 months) but I do have a diagnosed condition (and heart failure as a result) that was picked up by an echo and confirmed (and looked at more closely/accurately) by MRI.

LoveMySituation · 13/04/2019 19:13

Thanks for replies. I'm taking iron and vit d just in case, though bloods are apparently fine, but as you say, I'm suspicious about what constitutes normal levels in the NHS, especially as they keep saying I'm perfectly healthy, yet I feel awful. And faint and dizzy most of the time, particularly when I exert myself or bend down. BP always fine

I'm nearly 41, my mum was still going strong at my age, but I've had my suspicions about peri, and periods are getting shorter and lighter. However, l think I'd be laughed out of the surgery if I suggested it. I always wonder why it's so easy to start them, yet so hard to stop Grin

My appointments next week, so l will ask for everything they've got Grin

ABC, I know what it's like to have normal ecgs over and over, and it puts me off asking for any kind of help, as I'm now starting to second guess myself and my symptoms. It's good to know you got diagnosed despite the negative ecgs. My dad had a heart attack at 39, and he had only vague symptoms that I don't think were clear until a blood test

LoveMySituation · 13/04/2019 20:50

ABC, can I ask what your symptoms were or are?

ABC1234DEF · 14/04/2019 10:04

I didn't really have any. I had some palpitations when I was at the gym and that made me think about things a bit and it dawned on me that I'd lost a significant amount of weight (50% of my original weight), exercised to a high level (marathon running etc) and ate very well and my blood pressure and pulse hadn't reduced at all.

Fortunately I have a fantastic GP who listened to this and my family history (heart problems as far as we can go back - 5 generations) and referred me. Had a 3 day ECG monitor that was completely normal, then echo picked up some reduced function and structural changes and then an MRI looked at this and confirmed it.

Fortunately the heart failure is very mild currently and was identified very early - family history has been that it's picked up in 50s-60s when symptoms become apparent. I'm on medication to reduce the load on my heart (makes the pumping more efficient and slows it down) and basically can carry on as normal (although "no more crazy endurance stuff"). Running has been capped at half marathon, cycling at 100 miles a day and walking at 65 miles a day by the cardiologist.

LoveMySituation · 19/04/2019 11:58

Feeling a bit stupid. Had my appointment, of course it was just a chat about symptoms etc. I thought I would be having it there and then as I'd been referred, but no, two months wait.
I have asked for an echo, but I will also get a ct which I will have beta blockers for. He called me ma'am and was very polite, but dismissed what I said, didn't read the list I had written with details of how I feel and kept saying 'young women do not get heart problems' which I felt was a bit sweeping. So a bit closer, but a long way yet.

FoxSquadKitten · 20/04/2019 22:05

young women do not get heart problems

Ridiculous 🙄

Two months wait as well? Is there any way you could afford to get it done privately?

Thatsalovelycuppatea · 21/04/2019 18:08

Not like how they do them on holby! God I laughed when I saw that.

LoveMySituation · 21/04/2019 20:10

I know Fox, so many drs just seen to focus on what their training tells them is likely rather than what is in front of them. I doubt he would have said that to a man either.

I could probably afford private, but I'd keep it in reserve if they don't come up with anything, as having met him, I have no confidence that he will be thorough, as he's already decided that there's nothing to be found. I think you need to go via the gp to go private anyway.

titchy · 21/04/2019 20:21

young women do not get heart problems

Hmm I must remember to let 20 year old dd's cardiologist know.

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 21/04/2019 20:48

titchy meeting paediatric cardiologist next week for the results of scans and tests, I must tell 15 year old dd that she is obviously an old woman thenHmm

LoveMySituation · 21/04/2019 22:26

This is why I don't have much faith in a cardiologist that comes out with statements like that. I'm not even that young Grin. NK Obviously a paed cardio only sees boysWink