This is the most widely used imaging test in cardiology. It employs safe and painless ultrasound waves that rebound off the heart’s chambers and valves. The test allows the physician to measure the size and function of your heart chambers, as well as evaluate the functioning of heart valves. Echocardiography can also measure the pressures in some of the heart chambers. It is used for many cardiac conditions and symptoms, including the evaluation of shortness of breath, chest pain, heart murmurs, and to look for signs of hypertensive heart disease.
Indicated in a wide variety of circumstances where structural heart disease, valvulopathy or pulmonary hypertension might be present. May be used in hypertensive patients to rule out Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (signs of chronic elevation of the blood pressure on the heart).
* Reimbursed by most private insurance companies, depending on your coverage plan.
