An echocardiogram is a safe, noninvasive, non-X-ray-based imaging procedure used to examine your heart. It uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to see all four chambers of the heart, the heart valves and the great blood vessels entering and leaving the heart, as well as the sac around the heart. An echocardiogram may be used to look for the cause of an abnormal heart sound (a murmur), to check the size of the heart chambers, to check for fluid around the heart, or to inspect the pumping capability (the muscles) of the heart if a patient is short of breath or has complained of certain symptoms during exertion.

There is no need for any preparation such as fasting for this test. You will be greeted by a North Suffolk Cardiology echo technologist, each of whom have at least 10 years' experience performing echocardiograms. Before the test you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up (women will be given gowns). The technologist will then ask you to lie on the bed on your left side for optimal pictures. A transducer (a small probe) with a small amount of ultrasound gel will be placed on your chest to obtain the pictures. The ultrasound gel is water-based, so it will not stain clothing. It helps the ultrasound coming out of the transducer go into your body without coming into contact with air; if the ultrasound comes into contact with air we will not be able to get an image.

The NSCA office laboratory is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). By participating in the accreditation process, our facility demonstrates a commitment to the performance of quality echocardiography and strives to meet nationally recognized standards. When scheduled for an echocardiogram, patients should inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed. Patients can rest assured that accredited facilities have been carefully critiqued on all aspects of their operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of echocardiography.

  




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  Echo Workbook