What is an Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart. The equipment is far superior to that used by fishermen. In addition to providing single-dimension images, known as M-mode echo that allows accurate measurement of the heart chambers, the echocardiogram also offers far more sophisticated and advanced imaging. This is known as two- dimensional (2-D) Echo and is capable of displaying a cross-sectional "slice" of the beating heart, including the chambers, valves and the major blood vessels that exit from the left and right ventricle.
From the view of the patient: So, the equipment is better than that used by fisherman! THAT"S GOOD! You start by removing your shirt and laying on a nice soft bed. They take your blood pressure and go over you medical history. They will then explain the procedure. A handheld device is moved around you chest in the vicinity of your heart. A "cold" jell is used to slide the device around your chest. The nurse uses her left hand to manipulate the computer & screen, while the right hand uses the handheld device to slide around you chest. The comforting thing is your nurse is "Kind of" hugging you as the procedure is done (Great if you have a cute nurse!) For you ladies, ask for a cute guy!
The entire procedure takes about 30-40 minutes. The procedure is really not bad & one of my favorites!
The stress echo-cardiogram is a little more intense!
How does Stress Echo work? Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise. During exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate (develop a more open channel) than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to it's area of distribution. This reduced flow causes the involved muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms (like chest discomfort or inappropriate shortness of breath), EKG abnormalities and reduced movement of the heart muscle. The latter can be recognized by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart) by Echocardiography.
From the view of the patient: OK, the exciting & loveable stress test & add the echo-cardiogram at the same time! Here we go:
First you have all the wires hooked up to your chest and they begin the echo-cardiogram. To add some adventure, I was giving an IV, that allows the echo-cardiogram to see the heart with greater clarity! Once the technician takes about 10 minutes of pictures of the heart before exercise, you then step on the treadmill and begin you test! My goal rate is a heart rate of 139-145. It started as casual walk in the park, heart rate at 80-85. (By the way, I still had the IV in my arm) Around 85 I started to show some PVC's. The treadmill incline was increased and the speed was increased. Heart rate to 95-100, and the PVC's started to show Bigeminy. I felt winded and the test continued. The treadmill incline was increased & the speed also was increased. My heart rate went to 110 to 120, more PVC's, but no runs (3 or more in a row). I got the heart rate to 129, and I had 3 in a row, the test was stopped! Three in a row is the limit & they stop. As soon as I finished, the technician had me continue the echo-cardiogram!
So, I still have the PVC's. But, that is the highest I had the heart rate in the past year! Now I must wait to see the doctors in October to go over all the tests!
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