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Echocardiogram

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For Heart and Vascular related requests:
1-319-356-7102
For all other requests:
1-800-777-8442
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An echocardiogram is a test that takes pictures of the heart.

These pictures show whether certain parts of your heart, such as the valves, work properly. They also show problems like heart muscle weakness and holes between the heart’s chambers.

The University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center’s certified echocardiogram technicians use the most up-to-date equipment and technology available. This helps us make sure your echocardiogram images are of the highest quality, so our cardiologists can evaluate them with ease and accuracy.

How an echocardiogram works

An echocardiogram is a noninvasive procedure. It uses sound waves instead of radiation to capture images of your heart.

During a standard echocardiogram, a wand-like device called a transducer sends sound waves through your chest to your heart. When these sound waves reach your heart, they bounce back and create echoes.

The transducer records these echoes, and a computer converts them into moving pictures that can be viewed on a monitor and recorded.

Other types of echocardiograms

In some cases, your provider may need more detailed images than a standard echocardiogram can provide. The following are other types of echocardiograms we offer.

Echocardiogram with contrast

If your provider orders an echocardiogram with contrast, you’ll receive a harmless liquid solution called a contrast agent. It will be given through an IV in your arm at the start of the procedure.

Because the contrast agent reflects ultrasound waves, it helps certain cardiovascular problems stand out. They’ll show up more clearly on the monitor. Compared to standard echocardiograms, contrast echocardiograms are better at showing how well blood flows through the heart.

If you’re allergic to the contrast agent used during CT scans, you can still have a contrast echocardiogram. Even though they’re both referred to as contrast agents, the solution used during echocardiograms is different than the liquid dye used with CT.

Stress test (stress echocardiogram)

Some cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, worsen during exercise. If your provider wants to see how your heart functions during physical activity, you may need a stress echocardiogram.

During this procedure, you’ll undergo an echocardiogram while at rest, then again after walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

This test combines echocardiogram with a procedure called endoscopy.

Your provider will guide a thin tube called an endoscope down the back of your throat and into your esophagus, which runs right behind the heart. Just like with a standard echocardiogram, the transducer records the sound wave echoes that bounce off your heart.

You’ll receive medicine to help you relax and stay comfortable during your TEE.

What to expect during a standard echocardiogram

Your echocardiogram will probably take about an hour from start to finish.

During your procedure 

An echocardiogram usually includes the following steps:  

  • First, we’ll help you lay on your left side, on a special bed.
  • Next, we’ll attach sticky metal discs called electrodes to your chest. These electrodes are attached by wire to a machine that keeps track of your heart rate.
  • Your sonographer will slowly move the wand over your chest to capture sound wave echoes from different angles. You may occasionally need to hold your breath or shift positions.
  • Once your echocardiogram is complete, we’ll remove the electrodes. You can then go home or return to your normal activities.

After your procedure 

The images recorded during your echocardiogram will be read by a cardiologist with special training in cardiac imaging. The cardiologist will write a report summarizing the results of your procedure and send it to the provider who ordered your echocardiogram.

Your provider will help you understand what the test showed and, if necessary, discuss next steps including further testing or potential treatments.

Who can benefit from an echocardiogram?

If your provider thinks you might have cardiovascular disease, an echocardiogram can provide answers. It helps identify problems with the heart’s structure or function, such as unusually thick walls, leaky valves, and pumping problems.

These signs of illness or damage can help confirm whether you have one of the following conditions:

  • Heart failure
  • Heart valve disease, including aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (abnormal thickening of the heart muscle)
  • Pericardial effusion (fluid build-up around the heart)
  • Shunt structural abnormalities, such as atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale

Sidebar content

  • Heart and Vascular Services
    • Cardiac Imaging
      • Coronary Calcium Scan (Calcium Score test)
    • Cardiac Rehabilitation
    • Cardiology
      • Angina
      • Aortic Aneurysm
      • Atherosclerosis
      • Coronary artery disease
      • Echocardiogram
      • Heart Failure
      • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
      • Pulmonary Hypertension
    • Cardio-Oncology
    • Cardiovascular Genetics
    • Electrophysiology (Arrhythmia Care)
      • Atrial Fibrillation
      • Cardiac Ablation
      • Pacemaker and ICD Devices
    • Heart Surgery
      • Heart Transplant
      • ECMO: Heart and Lung Life Support
        • A Family Guide to ECMO
        • Criteria for ECMO
        • ECMO Training Course
        • Immediately Contact the ECMO Team
        • The Iowa Difference for ECLS Care
        • Welcome from the ECMO Director
      • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
    • Interventional Cardiology
      • Atherectomy
      • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Angioplasty)
      • Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (Impella)
    • Structural heart and heart valve disease
      • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
      • Left Atrial Appendage Closure (Watchman Device)
      • Paravalvular Leak (PVL) Closure
      • Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
      • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
      • Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (MitraClip)
      • Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement
    • Vascular Surgery
      • Deep vein thrombosis
      • Peripheral Artery Disease
      • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
      • Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Our Care Team

Mahi L. Ashwath, MD, MBA, FACC, FASE, FSCMR portrait

Mahi L.
Ashwath
MD, MBA, FACC, FASE, FSCMR

  • Heart and Vascular
4.41 out of 5 (310 ratings)
Kongkiat Chai-kriangkrai, MD portrait

Kongkiat
Chai-kriangkrai
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.72 out of 5 (208 ratings)
Kimberly S. Delcour, DO portrait

Kimberly S.
Delcour
DO

  • Heart and Vascular
4.74 out of 5 (328 ratings)
Ramzi El Accaoui, MD portrait

Ramzi
El Accaoui
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.77 out of 5 (446 ratings)
Milena A. Gebska, MD, PhD portrait

Milena A.
Gebska
MD, PhD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.91 out of 5 (516 ratings)
Isabella Grumbach, MD, PhD, FAHA portrait

Isabella
Grumbach
MD, PhD, FAHA

  • Heart and Vascular
Linda Lee, MD portrait

Linda
Lee
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.84 out of 5 (2,242 ratings)
Paul Lindower, MD portrait

Paul
Lindower
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.77 out of 5 (489 ratings)
Kan Liu, MD, PhD, FACC, FASE portrait

Kan
Liu
MD, PhD, FACC, FASE

  • Heart and Vascular
4.67 out of 5 (157 ratings)
Kimberly Staffey, MD portrait

Kimberly
Staffey
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.91 out of 5 (276 ratings)
Byron Vandenberg, MD portrait

Byron
Vandenberg
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.75 out of 5 (306 ratings)
Nicholas E. Walker, MD portrait

Nicholas E.
Walker
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.81 out of 5 (1,558 ratings)
Robert Weiss, MD portrait

Robert
Weiss
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
Need help taking the next steps for an echocardiogram?
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Locations and Offices

UI Heart and Vascular Center

4800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 4, Elevator I
1-319-356-7102
Clinic
In University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Awards and Recognition

Accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission
Our echocardiogram program has been accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission since 2000. This designation proves we meet or exceed strict standards of care related to patient safety and quality.

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States

1-800-777-8442
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