An Echocardiogram (ECHO) is a test that records the heart’s electrical impulses. It is commonly used to determine if the heart has been damaged. FirstHealth offers several types of Echocardiogram (ECHO).

Two-dimensional echocardiogram
This technique records the shape, texture and movement of heart valves by sending sound waves into the chest to rebound off the heart. It shows the heart’s chambers and how well they are functioning. In other words, an echocardiogram allows a physician to view a patient’s heart much like an ultrasound allows a physician to view a baby in the uterus.

Doppler color-flow echocardiogram
This technique adds color to the echocardiogram, allowing the physician to measure the degree or intensity of disease in the heart.

Transesophageal echocardiogram
This imaging procedure allows the physician to study the heart structures by passing a tube with a transducer on the end down the patient’s throat into the esophagus. Because the esophagus is close to the heart, the pictures taken are very clear.