An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound of your heart. It is painless, uses no radiation, takes about 40 minutes at FCCI, and needs no special preparation. It shows how well your heart pumps and how blood flows across your heart valves.
Why your doctor ordered an echo
According to FCCI's Echocardiography Lab, an echo is used to:
- Check the overall function of your heart
- Look for many types of heart disease, including valve disease, heart muscle disease, problems with the lining around the heart, infection of the heart valves, masses and heart defects present from birth
- Follow valve or heart muscle problems over time
- See how well a treatment, such as a valve repair, is working
Common reasons include a heart murmur, shortness of breath, swelling, an abnormal EKG, or a history of heart problems.
What happens during the test
A cardiac sonographer will place three small stickers called electrodes on your chest. These connect to an EKG monitor that tracks your heart's electrical activity during the test.
You will lie on your left side on an exam table. The sonographer puts gel on a small wand and moves it over different spots on your chest to take pictures. You may be asked to change position or hold your breath for a few seconds.
For a special check for certain heart defects, a little saline may be injected into an arm vein. Your team will tell you if that is part of your test.
How it feels
FCCI says you should feel no major discomfort. The gel can feel cool, and you may feel some light pressure from the wand. Most people find it relaxing, and some nearly fall asleep.
Getting ready
- No fasting or special prep is needed, according to FCCI
- Take your usual medicines unless told otherwise
- Wear a top that is easy to remove from the waist up
- Arrive a few minutes early to check in
- Plan for about 40 minutes for the test itself
Getting your results
A cardiologist reviews the pictures and measurements. Your FCCI provider will go over the results with you and explain any next steps. If everything looks good, that is real peace of mind. If something needs attention, you will have a clear picture to plan from.
Not every test is done at every FCCI office. When you schedule, ask where your echo will be done. The Orange Park team can tell you.
Heart care close to home in Clay County
Echocardiograms are part of the testing FCCI offers to Clay County patients through its Orange Park office at 1465 Kingsley Ave. Dr. Youssef Al-Saghir, Director of FCCI Clay County Operations and cardiology chair at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, leads the local team. Most major insurance is accepted, Medicare and Tricare included, and urgent testing can often happen the same day.
Questions to ask your provider
- What are you looking for with this echo?
- How will I get my results?
- Will I need another echo later, and when?
- Is there anything I should do differently before the test?
A neighborly word from the Clay County team
An echo is a team effort: you describe how you have been feeling, and your cardiologist reads what the images show. Together that paints a clearer picture than either one alone. If you have questions about your echo, write them down before your appointment or give the office a call.
Ready to talk with a heart doctor close to home? Have questions about an echo your doctor ordered? Call the FCCI Orange Park office at 904.644.0092, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or use the appointment request form (contact details only, please). We are at 1465 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073.
