The Use of Ultrasound When Diagnosing Heart Disease
Heart ultrasounds and sonograms are steadily increasing and will continue to do so to aid medical or surgical treatments. Ultrasound imaging is one of the most popular diagnosing technologies due to its accuracy, accessibility, safety, and cost-efficiency. Unsurprisingly, it is the preferred diagnostic test for many severe medical conditions.
Looking at a heart’s structure may require some professional insight. Patients may know that healthy blood pressure is essential, as is strengthening heart muscle. Sometimes, however, doctors need to use ultrasound waves to look at valves, blood vessels, arteries, and veins.
Significance Of A Heart Sonogram And Ultrasound Diagnosis
Traditional risk prediction models are pretty ineffective in predicting heart attack risk. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, up to 70 percent of people with heart attacks are put in the low or intermediate-risk category for a heart attack when doctors use traditional risk prediction models.
Furthermore, while cardiovascular tests are available for diagnosing heart diseases, these are invasive, unlike ultrasound testing. Moreover, cardiovascular tests are difficult to perform and expensive compared to ultrasound.
Detecting Serious Heart Conditions
Innovations in ultrasound technology have made heart ultrasound machines extremely capable of detecting severe medical conditions like heart defects or angina as they provide clear three-dimensional images of the heart and blood vessels and their functioning in real time.
In addition, ultrasound testing is targeted and can be used to confirm suspected heart conditions. It is also safe, radiation-free, and cost and time-efficient. Most importantly, it eliminates invasive testing, saving the patient pain and discomfort.
Doppler ultrasound is highly effective as it can show the direction and speed of blood flow through ultrasonic sound waves as they echo off moving objects. It helps detect obstructions like blood clots and narrowed blood vessels. On the other hand, cardiac ultrasound imaging allows physicians to see problems related to heart function and valves.
Furthermore, duplex ultrasound – a combination of advanced technology like Doppler and regular ultrasound – provides a clear view of veins and arteries to assess and calculate the speed of blood flow. In addition, duplex ultrasound is safe and devoid of radiation and contrast dyes and has become the preferred diagnostic test.
Cardiac Ultrasound Or Echocardiogram
Cardiac ultrasound is also called an echocardiogram, cardiac echo, or transthoracic echo (TTE). It uses ultrasonic waves that bounce off the heart to create a moving image of it. It lets physicians view the heart in motion, including the beating activity. An echocardiogram provides more detailed information and visualization than an X-ray image.
A cardiac echo allows physicians to view the heart’s anatomy from many different angles and observe the heart rhythm. It is the most effective way to visualize the function and movement of the heart and cardiac muscle valves. It’s best for detecting abnormalities related to the structure and function of the heart.
The echo test is paramount in detecting complex and severe heart conditions such as muscle problems. These problems include dilated cardiomyopathy or restrictive cardiomyopathy. It also helps see enlargement of the cardiac chambers, heart rhythm irregularities, and heart valve disease.
When Is A Heart Ultrasound Conducted?
The echocardiogram is a suitable screening test in several cases. These include evaluating high-risk patients devoid of symptoms and detecting structural abnormalities of the heart in suspected cases. Moreover, the echocardiogram is simple and requires no initial screening before the test.
A cardiac echo is typically recommended when patients have shortness of breath, fatigue, or fainting symptoms. Also, it may be recommended after an electrocardiogram test if it suggests the possibility of a structural heart problem. Since it is safe, radiation-free, and non-invasive, it can be conducted repeatedly over a prolonged period. You can use the echo to monitor the cardiac condition.
Purpose Of Echocardiogram
Cardiac echo is used to detect a range of heart conditions. We’ve compiled a brief list of heart ailments that can be seen via cardiac echo:
- Evaluate the overall function of the heart and detect various types of heart diseases
- Congenital heart conditions such as atrial septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot
- Heart valve irregularities such as mitral valve prolapse
- Monitor the progress of heart valve disease over a period
- Irregular heart rhythms such as cardiac arrhythmia
- Evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac treatments and surgeries
- Aortic stenosis can be detected by measuring impaired blood flow. In this case, Doppler measures blood speed in various areas of the heart.
An echocardiogram cannot show coronary arteries or blockages in the coronary arteries. Moreover, it can be ineffective in visualizing the heart in some biological variations. Therefore, cardiac catheterization has similar applications.
For example, a thick chest wall or emphysema can create barriers. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), an invasive ultrasound, is performed at such times.
For example, a thick chest wall or emphysema can create barriers. At such times, a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), which is an invasive ultrasound, is performed.
Types Of Echocardiograms
There are four types of echocardiograms to choose from based on the nature of the heart ailment.
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram is the most commonly performed echocardiogram and is typically conducted to detect heart damage and its extent. A hand-held transducer is placed on the chest and transmits high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves bounce off the heart structures to create images of the heart.
- Depending on the part of the heart being examined and the machine type, imaging can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. In rare cases, when the lungs or ribs interfere with the image clarity, a small amount of contrast is injected through an IV for a better view of the internal heart.
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): This test is recommended when the transthoracic echocardiogram is unclear. It visualizes the heart structure more clearly, without interfering with the lungs and chest.
- A transducer is inserted into the esophagus – the food pipe that connects the mouth and stomach. The test detects many heart conditions like abnormal heart valves and rhythms, heart murmurs, congenital heart disease, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, infectious endocarditis, and pulmonary hypertension.
- Stress Echocardiogram: As the name suggests, a stress echocardiogram needs to happen when the patient is under physical stress. Therefore, this test is performed while the patient exercises, combined with an echocardiogram at rest. Then one implements an exercise to compare the two results in the end.
- This echocardiogram inspects the heart’s motion and pumping action when the heart is under stress. It is especially important in detecting a lack of moving blood cells. Other cardiac tests may not notice something like that.
- Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram: Another type of stress echocardiogram, dobutamine stress, differs from the stress echocardiogram. The former uses a drug instead of exercise to stimulate the heart.
- This test is typically used when the patient cannot exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. It is used to assess heart and valve function and the extent to which the heart can tolerate activity, based on which the possibility of coronary artery disease is evaluated.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an ailment of the coronary artery, which feeds the heart. It is characterized by the hardening and thickening of the artery’s walls and plaque accumulation around the walls. The blockage obstructs flow, eventually causing a heart attack or stroke. The condition is called atherosclerosis.
CAD mainly does not produce symptoms. However, in a few cases, it is marked by symptoms such as shortness of breath with exertion, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, decreased physical endurance, chest, arm, or jaw pain, and even indigestion. CAD can be treated more effectively if it is diagnosed early. Moreover, early treatment can help preempt complications and severe health consequences.
Maintaining Regular Blood Flows
However, the challenge in detecting CAD is that even with a partial blockage, the heart may still receive ample blood supply while at rest and hence, function normally. Therefore, the consequences are felt only under exercise when the heart is stressed.
Therefore, diagnostic tests like echocardiogram and angiogram are crucial as these can detect mild and early-stage CAD. Imaging tests help practitioners to examine the structure and function of the heart. They check for irregular rhythm, irregular heart muscle function, narrow blood vessels, and valve problems.
Diagnosis of CAD typically requires evidence of significant blockages in the coronary arteries. Diagnostic imaging is beneficial in diagnosing CAD. At times echocardiograms are conducted along with stress tests for evaluating CAD. In some cases, however, a combination of various tests, including blood tests and physical examination, is required.
Other Types of Heart Ultrasounds
A carotid ultrasound assesses the risk of stroke. Doctors examine the flow through the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck to detect stenosis. A transducer, gently pressed against the sides of the neck, creates images of the arteries.
Abdominal ultrasound helps screen abdominal aortic aneurysms. The transducer is pressed against the abdomen, creating imaging that allows examining blood moving through the abdominal aorta.
The use of heart ultrasound diagnosis will be more widespread with advancing ultrasound technology and changing ultrasound machine trends. Modern designs favor smaller, cheaper, and more accurate portable ultrasounds.
Refine your practice. Our National Ultrasound experts can help you select the suitable ultrasound machine for cardiology, vascular, and many other applications. They will evaluate your requirements and options to fit your needs at a great price.
Regulate Blood Flow And Heart Disease Better With National Ultrasound
If you need a machine that can handle heart ultrasounds, National Ultrasound can help. Find devices that monitor the heart’s electrical activity or blood pressure and diagnose accurately.
National Ultrasound will help you harness sound waves and modern technology to examine heart chambers better. Do you want to learn more about other tests and the best cardiac echo or Doppler ultrasound machines? Then reach out to us today.
Matumizi ya ultrasound katika kugundua magonjwa ya moyo: Ultrasound na sonograms ya moyo inaongezeka kwa kasi na itaendelea kufanya hivyo kusaidia matibabu ya matibabu au upasuaji. Uchunguzi wa ultrasound ni mojawapo ya teknolojia maarufu zaidi za kugundua ugonjwa kwa sababu ya usahihi wake, upatikanaji, usalama, na ufanisi wa gharama. Haishangazi kwamba ni jaribio la kugundua magonjwa mengi mabaya. Kuchunguza muundo wa moyo huenda kukaomba ufahamu fulani wa kitaalamu. Huenda wagonjwa wakajua kwamba shinikizo la damu lenye afya ni muhimu, kama vile kuimarisha misuli ya moyo. Hata hivyo, nyakati nyingine madaktari huhitaji kutumia mawimbi ya ultrasound ili kuchunguza valves, mishipa ya damu, mishipa ya damu, na mishipa ya damu. Kwa mfano, kwa mfano, ultrasound ya moyo, ambayo ni njia ya kawaida ya kutabiri hatari ya ugonjwa wa moyo, inaweza kuwa na athari kubwa kwa kutabiri hatari ya ugonjwa wa moyo. Kulingana na utafiti uliochapishwa katika jarida la American College of Cardiology, asilimia 70 ya watu wanaopata mshtuko wa moyo huwekwa katika jamii ya hatari ya chini au ya kati ya mshtuko wa moyo wakati madaktari wanapotumia mifano ya kawaida ya utabiri wa hatari. Isitoshe, ingawa vipimo vya moyo na mishipa ya damu vinapatikana ili kugundua magonjwa ya moyo, vipimo hivyo ni vya uvamizi, tofauti na vipimo vya ultrasound. Isitoshe, uchunguzi wa moyo na mishipa ya damu ni mgumu na wa gharama kubwa ukilinganishwa na uchunguzi wa ultrasound. Uvumbuzi wa hali mbaya za moyo: Ubunifu katika teknolojia ya ultrasound umefanya mashine za ultrasound za moyo kuwa na uwezo mkubwa wa kugundua hali mbaya za matibabu kama kasoro za moyo au angina, kwani hutoa picha wazi za pande tatu za moyo na mishipa ya damu na utendaji wao kwa wakati halisi. Kwa kuongezea, uchunguzi wa ultrasound ni wa makusudi na waweza kutumiwa kuthibitisha hali za moyo zinazoshukiwa. Pia ni salama, haina mnururisho, na ni ya gharama nafuu na haina muda mwingi. Jambo la maana zaidi ni kwamba, inazuia majaribio ya kuvamia, na kuokoa mgonjwa maumivu na usumbufu. Doppler ultrasound ni njia ya kugundua mwendo wa damu na mwendo wa damu kupitia mawimbi ya sauti ya ultrasonic. Inasaidia kugundua vizuizi kama vile kuganda kwa damu na mishipa ya damu iliyopunguzwa. Kwa upande mwingine, uchunguzi wa sauti ya juu ya moyo huwawezesha madaktari kuona matatizo yanayohusiana na utendaji wa moyo na valves. Kwa kuongezea, ultrasound ya duplex - mchanganyiko wa teknolojia ya hali ya juu kama Doppler na ultrasound ya kawaida - hutoa mtazamo wazi wa mishipa na mishipa ili kutathmini na kuhesabu kasi ya mtiririko wa damu. Kwa kuongezea, uchunguzi wa ultrasound wa duplex ni salama na hauna mnururisho na rangi za kutofautisha na umekuwa mtihani wa utambuzi unaopendekezwa. Uchunguzi wa moyo wa ultrasound (Echocardiogram) ni uchunguzi wa moyo wa ultrasound (Echocardiogram) na uchunguzi wa moyo wa ultrasound (Echocardiogram). Inatumia mawimbi ya ultrasonic ambayo hupiga moyo ili kuunda picha inayozunguka ya moyo. Inaruhusu madaktari waone moyo ukienda, kutia ndani utendaji wa kupiga. Echocardiogram hutoa habari na picha za kina zaidi kuliko picha za X-ray. Mng'ao wa moyo huwawezesha madaktari kuona anatomia ya moyo kutoka pembe nyingi tofauti na kuchunguza mdundo wa moyo. Ni njia yenye matokeo zaidi ya kuona utendaji na mwendo wa valvu za moyo na misuli ya moyo. Ni bora kwa ajili ya kugundua abnormalities kuhusiana na muundo na kazi ya moyo. Mtihani wa echo ni muhimu sana katika kugundua hali ngumu na kali za moyo kama vile matatizo ya misuli. Matatizo hayo yanatia ndani ugonjwa wa moyo unaoenea au ugonjwa wa moyo unaopunguza. Pia husaidia kuona ukuzi wa vyumba vya moyo, kasoro za mdundo wa moyo, na ugonjwa wa valve ya moyo. Ultrasound ya Moyo Hufanywa Wakati Gani? Uchunguzi wa moyo wa sauti ni jaribio linalofaa la kuchunguza katika visa kadhaa. Hizi zinatia ndani kuchunguza wagonjwa wenye hatari kubwa wasio na dalili na kugundua kasoro za muundo wa moyo katika visa vinavyodhaniwa. Isitoshe, echocardiogram ni rahisi na haihitaji uchunguzi wa kwanza kabla ya mtihani. Kwa kawaida, upimaji wa moyo hupendekezwa wagonjwa wanapokuwa na upungufu wa pumzi, uchovu, au dalili za kuzimia. Pia, inaweza kupendekezwa baada ya uchunguzi wa electrocardiogram ikiwa unaonyesha uwezekano wa tatizo la moyo la kiundani. Kwa kuwa ni salama, haina mnururisho, na si ya uvamizi, inaweza kufanywa mara kwa mara kwa muda mrefu. Unaweza kutumia echo ili kufuatilia hali ya moyo. Kusudi la Echocardiogram Echo ya moyo hutumiwa kugundua hali mbalimbali za moyo. "Hii ni orodha fupi ya magonjwa ya moyo ambayo yanaweza kuonekana kupitia echo ya moyo: ""Hesabu kazi ya jumla ya moyo na kugundua aina mbalimbali za magonjwa ya moyo"" - ""Hali za moyo za kuzaliwa kama vile kasoro ya septal atrial na tetralogy ya Fallot"" - ""Ukosefu wa utaratibu wa valve ya moyo kama vile prolapse ya valve ya mitral"" - ""Kuchunguza maendeleo ya ugonjwa wa valve ya moyo kwa kipindi fulani"" - ""Rhythms ya moyo isiyo ya kawaida kama arrhythmia ya moyo"" - ""Hesabu ufanisi wa matibabu ya moyo na upasisi." Katika kisa hiki, Doppler hupima mwendo wa damu katika sehemu mbalimbali za moyo. Echocardiogram haiwezi kuonyesha mishipa ya damu au vizuizi katika mishipa ya damu. Isitoshe, inaweza kuwa isiyofaa katika kutafakari moyo katika baadhi ya tofauti za kibiolojia. Kwa hiyo, catheterization ya moyo ina matumizi kama hayo. Kwa mfano, ukuta mzito wa kifua au mfuko wa damu waweza kutokeza vizuizi. Uchunguzi wa transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) unafanywa wakati huo. Kwa mfano, ukuta mzito wa kifua au mfuko wa damu waweza kutokeza vizuizi. Katika kesi hii, transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) ni ultrasound ya kuambukiza. Aina ya Echocardiogram: Kuna aina nne za echocardiogram ambazo unaweza kuchagua kulingana na hali ya ugonjwa wa moyo. Transthoracic echocardiogram ni echocardiogram inayofanywa kwa kawaida na kwa kawaida hufanywa ili kugundua uharibifu wa moyo na kiwango chake. Kipaza-sauti cha mkononi huwekwa kwenye kifua na hutuma mawimbi ya sauti yenye mzunguko wa juu. Mawimbi hayo ya sauti husonga kutoka kwenye miundo ya moyo ili kuunda picha za moyo. - Ikitegemea sehemu ya moyo inayochunguzwa na aina ya mashine, upigaji picha waweza kuwa wa pande mbili au tatu. Katika visa vichache, wakati mapafu au mbavu kuingilia kati na uwazi wa picha, kiasi kidogo cha tofauti ni injected kupitia IV kwa mtazamo bora wa moyo wa ndani. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) - Uchunguzi huu unashauriwa wakati echocardiogram ya transthoracic haijulikani. Inaonyesha waziwazi muundo wa moyo, bila kuingilia mapafu na kifua. - Transducer ni kuingizwa katika esophagus <unk> bomba chakula kwamba unaunganisha kinywa na tumbo. Mtihani huu huonyesha hali nyingi za moyo kama vile valves za moyo zisizo za kawaida na rhythms, murmurs ya moyo, ugonjwa wa moyo wa kuzaliwa, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, endocarditis ya kuambukiza, na shinikizo la damu la mapafu. Uchunguzi wa echocardiogram ya mkazo (Echocardiogram ya Mkazo) ni uchunguzi wa moyo unaofanywa wakati mgonjwa ana mkazo wa kimwili. Kwa hiyo, mtihani huo hufanywa wakati mgonjwa anapofanya mazoezi, pamoja na echocardiogram anapopumzika. Kisha mtu kutekeleza zoezi kulinganisha matokeo mawili katika mwisho. - Echocardiogram hii inachunguza mwendo wa moyo na kazi ya kusukuma wakati moyo uko chini ya mkazo. Ni muhimu hasa katika kugundua ukosefu wa chembe za damu zinazotembea. Uchunguzi mwingine wa moyo huenda usionekane kuwa na jambo kama hilo. - Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram: Aina nyingine ya echocardiogram ya mkazo, dobutamine stress, inatofautiana na echocardiogram ya mkazo. Wa kwanza hutumia dawa badala ya mazoezi ili kuchochea moyo. - Mtihani huu hutumiwa kwa kawaida wakati mgonjwa hawezi kufanya mazoezi kwenye treadmill au baiskeli ya kusimama. Inatumiwa kutathmini utendaji wa moyo na valve na kiwango ambacho moyo unaweza kuvumilia shughuli, kulingana na ambayo uwezekano wa ugonjwa wa mshipa wa moyo unathaminiwa. Ugonjwa wa mshipa wa moyo (Coronary artery disease) ni ugonjwa unaosababishwa na mshipa wa moyo (coronary artery disease) ambao huathiri moyo. Ni sifa ya hardening na thickening ya kuta za mshipa na mkusanyiko wa plaque kuzunguka kuta. Kizuizi hicho huzuia mtiririko, na hatimaye husababisha mshtuko wa moyo au kiharusi. Hali hiyo inaitwa atherosclerosis. Kwa kawaida, ugonjwa wa CAD hauwezi kusababisha dalili. Hata hivyo, katika visa vichache, ina dalili kama vile kukosa pumzi wakati wa kufanya kazi, uchovu, kizunguzungu, kugonga moyo, kupungua kwa uwezo wa kuvumilia, maumivu ya kifua, mkono, au taya, na hata matatizo ya kumeng'enya chakula. Ugonjwa wa CAD unaweza kutibiwa kwa ufanisi zaidi ikiwa unatambuliwa mapema. Isitoshe, matibabu ya mapema yanaweza kusaidia kuzuia matatizo na madhara mabaya ya afya. Hata hivyo, changamoto katika kugundua ugonjwa wa moyo ni kwamba hata na kuziba sehemu, moyo unaweza bado kupokea usambazaji wa damu wa kutosha wakati wa kupumzika na kwa hivyo, kazi kawaida. Kwa hiyo, matokeo huhisiwa tu chini ya mazoezi wakati moyo unapokuwa na mkazo. Kwa hivyo, vipimo vya utambuzi kama echocardiogram na angiogram ni muhimu kwani hizi zinaweza kugundua CAD ya hali ya chini na ya mapema. Uchunguzi wa picha husaidia wataalamu kuchunguza muundo na utendaji wa moyo. Wao huchunguza ikiwa kuna kasoro za mdundo wa moyo, utendaji usio wa kawaida wa misuli ya moyo, mishipa midogo ya damu, na matatizo ya valve. Kwa kawaida, kugundua ugonjwa wa damu ya damu huhitaji uthibitisho wa kufungwa kwa mishipa ya damu ya damu. Uchunguzi wa picha ni muhimu katika kugundua ugonjwa wa CAD. Nyakati nyingine echocardiograms hufanywa pamoja na vipimo vya mkazo ili kutathmini CAD. Hata hivyo, katika visa fulani, mchanganyiko wa vipimo mbalimbali, kutia ndani vipimo vya damu na uchunguzi wa kimwili, huhitajiwa. Aina Nyingine za Ultrasound za Moyo Ultrasound ya carotid huchunguza hatari ya kiharusi. Madaktari huchunguza mtiririko kupitia mishipa ya damu kwenye pande zote mbili za shingo ili kugundua upungufu wa damu. Kipaza-sauti, kinachofinyangwa kwa upole kwenye pande za shingo, hutokeza picha za mishipa ya damu. Uchunguzi wa ultrasound ya tumbo husaidia kuchunguza aneurysms ya aorta ya tumbo. Transducer hiyo huwekwa kwenye tumbo, na hivyo kutokeza picha inayowezesha kuchunguza damu inayosonga kupitia aorta ya tumbo. Matumizi ya utambuzi wa ultrasound ya moyo itakuwa zaidi kuenea na maendeleo ya teknolojia ya ultrasound na kubadilisha mwenendo wa mashine ya ultrasound. Vifaa vya kisasa vina vifaa vidogo, vya bei nafuu, na vyenye usahihi zaidi vya ultrasound. Tengeneza mazoezi yako. Wataalamu wetu wa ultrasound wanaweza kukusaidia kuchagua mashine sahihi ya ultrasound kwa ajili ya cardiology, vascular, na maombi mengine mengi. Sisi kukabiliana na mahitaji yako na chaguzi kwa bei nzuri. Uwezo wa kupima damu na moyo wa mtu kwa kutumia ultrasound ya moyo ni muhimu sana kwa mtu anayehitaji ultrasound ya moyo. Tafuta vifaa vinavyokagua utendaji wa umeme wa moyo au shinikizo la damu na kugundua kwa usahihi. National Ultrasound itakusaidia kutumia mawimbi ya sauti na tekinolojia ya kisasa kuchunguza vyumba vya moyo vizuri zaidi. Je, unataka kujifunza zaidi kuhusu vipimo vingine na mashine bora za echocardiography au Doppler ultrasound? Basi wasiliana nasi leo.