2D Echocardiography or 2D Echo of heart is a test in which ultrasound technique is used to take pictures of heart. It displays a cross sectional ‘slice’ of the beating heart, showing chambers, valves and the major blood vessels of heart.
‘Doppler’ is a special element of this ultrasound exam that assesses flow of blood in the heart.
How is 2D Echo done?
Patient is made to change in a front open robe and a colourless gel is applied to the chest area. Then he is asked to lay on his left side as the technician moves the transducer across the various parts of his chest to get specific/desired views of the heart.
Instructions may also be given to the patient to breathe slowly or to hold it. This helps in getting superior quality pictures.
What it detects?
Echocardiography is a significant tool in providing the physician important information about heart on the following:
How safe is echocardiography?
It is absolutely safe. There are no known risks of the ultrasound in this type of testing.
Stress, modern lifestyle and many other factors have adverse effects on the heart. Hence, routine analysis of the heart health is important. 2D echocardiography is a screening test that produces live heart images. It allows your doctor to monitor the functioning of your heart and its valves.
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