Docs Tag: cardiac
Echocardiogram
What is an Echocardiogram?
Echo is the short way of saying echocardiogram. An echo is another test that lets doctors see inside your body.  The echo is special since it only takes pictures of your heart. It can show the shape and size of your heart. Just like the name, the echo uses sound waves to take the pictures; it bounces invisible sound waves off of your heart to create a picture of what it looks like. You will not feel or hear these sound waves in your body.
Why do I need to have an Echo?
The doctor needs to see a picture of your heart and the best way to take the picture is to use the echo machine. A regular X-Ray cannot see the heart, so an echo has to be used.
What does an Echo look like?
An echo machine looks like a computer. The technologist (the person taking the picture) uses a smooth flat wand and a special gel to take the picture. The gel and wand lets the computer hear the sound waves from your heart. Once the pictures have been taken, they are printed and shown to the radiologist. He is a special doctor who looks at the pictures.
What happens when I have an Echo?
A porter will come to bring you to the special room to have the echo. Â A technologist (the person who will take the pictures) will greet you and explain what will happen.
The technologist will give you a gown to wear, this looks like a backward housecoat, you may already be wearing one. You will lie down on a bed beside the computer. The technologist usually turns the lights down so that they can see the pictures on the computer better. Next the technologist will put gel on your chest over the area where your heart is. He or she will move the smooth, flat wand on your skin where the gel is. The wand is attached to the computer. While the technologist moves the wand over your chest, you will be able to see a wavy and fuzzy image on the screen.  While the technologist is moving the wand, he or she will also be touching buttons on the computer keyboard.
It is important to remember to stay still, if you move a lot, the picture will not be clear and the test will take longer. The test is usually short and takes about 15-30 minutes. Once the pictures are done, they will be printed off to show the doctor. The technologist will wipe the gel off with a soft towel and then you will be able to go back to your room.
What will the Echo feel like?
The echo will not hurt. The gel may feel a little cool and sticky.  The wand may press down onto your skin a little bit, but it will not hurt. Remember to lie still so that the technologist can get a clear picture. Thinking about your favourite thing to do may help you stay still.
Preparing for the test
Your nurse will give you the information you need to help you get ready to have your echo. Sometimes you may have to do nothing to get ready.
Remember
If you have any questions about the test, always ask!
ECG or EKG (Electrocardiogram)
What is an EKG or ECGÂ (Electrocardiogram)?
An EKG is the short way of saying electrocardiogram. The electrocardiogram takes pictures of the electrical activity of your heart and around your body. As your heart works it sends electrical signals around your body. The EKG machine uses these electrical signals to create an electrocardiogram, a picture of your heart activity. The picture can show the doctor how fast your heart beats, and the rhythm (heart beat pattern) of your heart. No matter what you are doing, whether you are running, reading or sleeping, your heart is always working and sending electrical signals.
Why do I need to have an EKG?
When the doctor wants to see how your heart is working, special pictures need to be taken. The EKG takes pictures of the electrical activity in your heart and around your body. It helps the doctor to see how your heart is working, how fast it is beating and the rhythm (heart beat pattern) it makes.
What does an EKG machine look like?Â
An EKG is a computer that has lots of wires attached to it. It also has a printer attached to it. The wires have a sticky soft tape end that attaches to your chest, arms and legs. There is a bed that is beside the EKG computer, this is where you will lie down. The picture of how your heart beats is printed off to show the doctor.
What happens when I have an EKG?
A porter will come and bring you to the area where you will have the EKG. Sometimes the technologist (the person who will take the pictures) can come to your room to do this test. A technologist will greet you and explain what will happen. You may be given a gown to wear, this looks like a backward housecoat, or you may already be wearing one.
The technologist will ask you to lie down on a bed. She will then use the wires that are attached to the machine and place them on your chest, arms and legs. Small sticky soft pieces of tape are first placed on your chest, arms and legs. The wires called electrodes are then attached to the tape; they measure the electrical signals in your heart. Only the tape touches your skin, the wires do not.
It is important to lie very still on the bed while the test is happening. The test only takes a few minutes. Once it is done, the technologist will remove the soft tape from your chest, arms and legs, and you are able to go back to your room.
What will the EKG test feel like?
An electrocardiogram does not hurt. The tape is a special gentle tape that is less sticky than a regular Band-Aid. All you have to do is to remember to lie still, so that the pictures they take are clear.
Preparing for the test
Your nurse will give you the information you need to help you get ready to have your EKG. There is nothing that you really have to do to get ready for this test.
Remember
If you have any questions about the test, always ask!