Echocardiogram Specialist
CorCareTx
Cardiologists located in McKinney, TX
Echocardiograms are simple in-office tests that let your doctor know exactly how your heart is functioning. Because your heart health is essential for a long healthy life, start your cardiovascular disease screening today. At CorCareTX in McKinney, Texas, you visit with the area’s leading cardiologist, Brian Eades, MD, FACC. Dr. Eades has extensive training in using echocardiograms to diagnose even the most complex of heart conditions. Call the office or schedule your first visit today. Most echocardiogram requests can be done the same day as your appointment.
Echocardiogram Q & A
Why did my doctor order an echocardiogram?
Dr. Eades orders an echocardiogram for you if he suspects something is abnormal with your heart. An echocardiogram might be necessary if you have:
- Arrhythmia or palpitations
- Peripheral artery disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Undiagnosed chest pain or pressure
- Family history of heart disease
Are there different types of echocardiograms?
Yes. Echocardiograms are ultrasound tests that utilize high-pitch sound waves. The waves get sent through a transducer, which picks up echo sounds from your heart. Eventually, these sound echoes get turned into pictures of your heart.
The most common type is the transthoracic echocardiogram or TTE.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram
This simple in-office test requires your practitioner to get different “views” of your heart by moving around the transducer.
If you have problems with blood flow because of coronary artery disease, Dr. Eades performs a stress echocardiogram before and after you stress your heart through exercise, or through medicine that increases your heart rhythm.
While most patients start out with the transthoracic echocardiogram, it’s possible that you might need a more advanced test if your results aren’t clear. These include the doppler echocardiogram and the transesophageal echocardiogram.
Doppler Echocardiogram
This procedure is beneficial for tracking blood flow. It measures both the direction and speed of all the blood you have flowing through your heart, veins, arteries, and vessels.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
The TEE, is slightly invasive, requiring Dr. Eades to send a small probe down your esophagus, rather than moving the transducer around the outside of your body. Because the probe gets closer to your heart, Dr. Eades gets a clearer picture of your heart and heart function.
What does an echocardiogram tell my doctor about my heart?
The echocardiogram gives Dr. Eades information about how well your heart functions, as well as its structure. Through a simple echocardiogram, Dr. Eades can find out information about:
- The size of your heart
- How well your heart pumps
- The function of your heart valves
- Blood regurgitation
- Tumors or infectious growths
- Narrowing of your heart valves
- Blood clots or abnormal holes