Ultrasounds

What should I know about ultrasounds?

Ultrasounds are a noninvasive diagnostic imaging tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate live-action images of the internal parts of your body.

For the test, an ultrasound technician uses a hand-held tool called a transducer to deliver sound waves into the body. The sound waves bounce off the body parts being evaluated and back to the transducer, sending the information to a computer that translates the sound into moving images.

Health care providers use ultrasound testing to evaluate many organs in the body, including the heart.

Can ultrasounds find the cause of my chest pain?

Dr. Arora is an experienced board-certified cardiologist who uses ultrasounds to determine the root cause of concerning symptoms of heart disease, like chest pain.

The cardiac ultrasound test is called an echocardiogram. This test allows Dr. Arora to evaluate your heart’s size, structure, and function. He can see how blood moves through the blood vessels and chambers of the heart. And he can study the function of the heart’s valves.

The information he gathers from an echocardiogram helps him diagnose many types of heart disease, including:

• Heart valve disease
• Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Aortic aneurysm (ballooning in the aorta — large artery in the heart)
• Blood clots
• Heart abnormalities
• Tumors

Dr. Arora might recommend the ultrasound test if you have abnormal results from an electrocardiogram (EKG) or treadmill stress test.

What do ultrasounds feel like?

Most ultrasounds are noninvasive and painless. The ultrasound technician applies a gel to your skin, places the transducer on the gel, and moves it around to get the images. You could feel some pressure but no pain.

If Dr. Arora needs more detailed images of your heart, he may request a transesophageal echocardiogram. For this test, your provider uses a thin, flexible tube to guide a small transducer down your throat until it reaches the esophagus. You may receive a mild sedative before this ultrasound to minimize discomfort.

What happens after ultrasounds?

Unless Dr. Arora says otherwise, you can resume your usual activities after your ultrasound. He reviews the images captured during your ultrasound. The doctor schedules a follow-up appointment to discuss the results and a treatment plan if one’s needed.

Dr. Raveen R. Arora, MD, FACC, is committed to offering personalized, comprehensive, and cutting-edge cardiology care. Call the office today to schedule a consultation.