Echocardiography

Heart is one of the most important organ of the body. Our heart is a pump which plays a key role in the circulation of blood in the human body. The blood is carried to all parts of the body through a network of blood vessels called arteries. This blood carries oxygen and glucose to each cell of the body. Once the oxygen and glucose is taken by the cells, deoxygenated blood is carried back to the heart through veins. Heart has 4 chambers which have valves between them to regulate the flow of blood. There are 3 major arteries which carry blood to the heart.

People who lead an inactive life, tend to get fat deposited in these arteries which restrict the flow of blood to the heart and result in heart attack. Regular testing of the heart is important to prevent heart attack. Tests which measure the health of the heart are ECG, Treadmill Test, Holter, 2D Echocardiography, Angiography, Thallium Scan etc. Of all these tests, 2D Echocardiography is the most effective as it is non-invasive in nature. 2D Echocardiography test is done on an ultrasound machine which is easily available even in smaller cities.

Test and Results

2D Echocardiography is done on an Ultrasound cum Colour Doppler machine using a special instrument called Curvilinear probe. The test is done by Radiologists, Cardiologists and Physicians with special training in echocardiography. Graduate doctors with one year diploma in Cardiology can also perform this test.

In this test the patient has to lie down on an examination couch and the doctor places the ultrasound probe on the heart just below the rib cage. The sound waves emitted by the beating heart are captured on the screen which is interpreted by the doctor. Most important things noted in echocardiography test are blockages in the coronary arteries, pumping capacity of the heart called ejection fraction and functioning of the valves. If blockages are noted in the blood vessles, then further test called angiography is performed to measure the exact amount of blockage. If the ejection fraction of the heart is less than 60% then medicines are given to improve the functioning of the heart.

Best Doctors and Cost

Cardiologists at LNM Hospital are quite well trained in doing 2D Echocardiography test. The latest 4D Ultrasound and Colour Doppler machine from GE, USA with curvilinear probe is considered as one of the best machine for doing echocardiography test. The test takes around 15 minutes and the report is ready within the next 30 minutes. The cost of the 2D Echocardiography is Rs. 1800 while the cost of Stress Echocardiography is Rs. 3500. In stress echocardiography, the patient first walks on the treadmill machine and then echocardiography is done whil the heart rate is higher than normal.

This test is also done before major surgeries to know the fitness of the patient for undergoing surgery. Every person above the age of 40 years should get a complete health checkup done regularly. Such a health checkup should include ECG, TMT, Echocardiography, ULtrasound Abdomen, Chest X-Ray and blood tests like Kidney function test, Liver Function Test, Lipid Profile, CBC, Thyroid function test, Blood Sugar, HbA1C, Urine - R/M

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