Dear Patient:

If you receive a telephone call 2-3 days prior to your test from our Admissions Department registering you for this test, report to the Cardiopulmonary Department 15 minutes before your test is scheduled. If they are unable to reach you by phone, you MUST report to the Outpatient Admissions Department 45 minutes before your appointment time. It is located in the new wing on the ground floor in the rear of the hospital (north side). Parking is available there. Please allow 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to allow us to prepare you for the test, which includes a brief history and a medication list will be taken. This will insure that your test is started at the scheduled time.

IMPORTANT - You must have a written order/prescription from your physician or your test WILL NOT be done.

There is no need to follow any special instructions for this examination. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 298-2134.

WHAT'S INVOLVED:

The test takes about 30 minutes. An Echocardiogram produces images of the heart by using sound waves. These images can help identify abnormalities of heart muscles or valves and fluid around the heart. During an echo, harmless sound waves are bounced off your heart and then beamed back and converted to images on a screen. These images are used to see the structure and movement of the heart's valves and chambers. A doppler echo may be used in the same way, bouncing sound waves off heart chambers and blood vessels to view blood flow patterns and valves.

You will be asked to remove clothing on your upper body or the left side of you chest. A small device (transducer) will be lubricated with gel and the technician will hold it in various places on your chest. You may be asked to lie in different positions. Electrodes are attached to your chest to record a simultaneous EKG. After obtaining the necessary information, the technician will remove the electrodes and the transducer. The results will then be sent to your Doctor.

*Please be aware that if you are LATE for your appointment you may be asked to reschedule.