Echocardiogram Specialist
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Heart Failure Survival Center of America
Cardiologists located in Marinette, WI & Crivitz, WI
An echocardiogram is an effective tool for assessing cardiovascular health. At the Heart Failure Survival Center of America, Dr. Yasser Salem and his staff use echocardiograms to assist in the diagnoses and treatment of many types of heart conditions. If you live in or near the Appleton, Marinette, or Crivitz, Wisconsin areas and are concerned about the health of your heart, call the office and schedule an appointment today with Dr. Salem.
Echocardiogram Q & A
What Does an Echocardiogram Show?
Dr. Salem relies on an echocardiogram to provide him with an accurate representation of the size and shape of your heart. It shows how the heart is functioning and any possible weaknesses that may be present. The test also shows the condition and movement of the septum, valves, and other parts of the heart.
When used with a Doppler ultrasound, Dr. Salem watches the blood as it flows through the heart. By monitoring the heart function in real-time, Dr. Salem can identify both weaknesses and strengths and formulate an effective treatment plan that is accurate and reliable when it comes to your health concerns.
When are Echocardiograms Used?
Dr. Salem uses an echocardiogram when he needs to find out what is happening within the walls, valves, and arteries of the heart. X-rays only show a two-dimensional image and don’t offer the ability to watch the heart as it functions.
Echocardiograms enable Dr. Salem to visually identify potential problems that other types of testing may not have detected. He uses the information he gains to identify both congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. Dr. Salem can also determine the amount of blockage located in each coronary artery.
What Happens During an Echocardiogram?
When Dr. Salem performs an echocardiogram, he strategically places electrodes on your chest and upper abdomen to record electrical impulses sent out by your heart. Once the electrodes are in place, and you are lying on your side, fully relaxed, he places a small amount of gel on your skin. That allows the ultrasound machine to pick up the sound waves and send them back to the monitor.
With the lights dimmed, the images on the monitor show Dr. Salem how your heart is functioning. He also takes several still pictures to place in your file. Echocardiograms normally take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete and provide Dr. Salem with the important information he needs to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.
