Heart issues are a severe matter. If you’ve been feeling out of breath or notice chest pains, it may be time to get an echocardiogram. An echo can detect problems with your heart that could lead to death if left untreated. Fortunately, there are reliable centers doing echocardiograms in the Upper East Side. Here are different heart conditions that an echocardiogram in Upper East Side can reveal.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are an exciting condition. They do not always lead to heart attacks, but they can be very sudden and even fatal without treatment when they do. This is because the clot cuts off blood supply to the heart, which causes damage. The main ways that people get blood clots are through prolonged bed rest, injuries, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or lack of exercise.
Heart Valve Disease
Another common ailment that an echo can detect is heart valve disease. This occurs when problems with one or more valves in your heart. It usually presents as shortness of breath, fatigue after moderate activity, chest pain, and fainting. There are three main ways that this can occur.
The first is when blood backs up into the veins on the back of the heart, secondly by problems with the valves which cause too much or not enough blood to go through them, and finally, it may be genetic.
Aorta Issues
The aorta is the main artery that sends blood out to your entire body. It is located near your heart, so if it is not working correctly, this can lead to severe problems. For example, aortic dissection causes blood flow to split off inside the aorta wall, cutting off supply to major organs like the brain, kidneys, and intestines. If your echocardiogram suggests that you may have an aortic dissection or another issue with your blood vessels, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately.
Pump Strength
The left side of your heart is essential for pumping blood to the entire body. If there are issues with the strength or function of these muscles, it can lead to a condition known as heart failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles and feet, fatigue after light activity, and many more. To diagnose this your echocardiogram will likely be followed up with other tests to measure the pumping action of your heart.
Fluid Around the Heart
One of the main reasons doctors use echoes to diagnose heart conditions is its information. Not only can these tests detect issues with your heart, but they can also help identify other problems such as fluid around the heart. This usually occurs due to other health problems such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure.
Arrhythmia
Lastly, it is also possible to discover abnormal heart rhythms with an echo. This can be very dangerous because it can lead to fainting or sudden death. There are numerous arrhythmias, but atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia are the most common ones.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart detecting various heart conditions. The most common reasons for getting an echo are to check for blood clots, heart valve disease, aorta issues, pump strength issues, and fluid around the heart. It can also diagnose abnormal heart rhythms. If you are experiencing any symptoms related to one of these conditions, it is crucial to visit a cardiovascular specialist.
