Echocardiography

A dynamic, noninvasive way to get accurate information on your heart health.

An echocardiogram provides information about the heart’s structure and function, such as size, the appearance of the valves, and the thickness of the heart’s muscle.

Understanding Echocardiography

Echocardiography provides an assessment of the heart using ultrasound. Your doctor may request an echocardiogram or echo test to look at your heart’s structure and check how well your heart is working.

It may be used to check the size of chambers and valve openings. Generally, it shows how the heart is functioning and identifies any murmurs or abnormalities.

Echocardiogram For Heart Health

Ultrasound Of tThe Heart

Early Detection Of Disease & Abnormalities

Comfortable & Noninvasive

Who Needs An Echocardiogram?

A physician is likely to request an echo test if you’ve had a heart attack, rheumatic fever, heart murmur, congenital heart defect, or an irregular heartbeat.

An echocardiogram may be requested if you recently had an ECG and there were noticed changes or abnormalities.

It is also common for echo tests to be ordered for unexplained chest pain or shortness of breath.

Choosing CAMIS for Echocardiography

At CAMIS, we pride ourselves on providing the expert care you deserve and delivering a thorough and comfortable echo test experience.

Although echo tests are painless and non-invasive, we understand that any exams can feel intimidating or slightly uncomfortable, so we want to provide you with any information and preparation requested to make you feel more comfortable.

Transthoracic Echocardiogram

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is the most common type of echocardiogram, which is a still or moving image of the internal structures of the heart, using ultrasound.

The probe is placed on the chest of the patient to get various views of the heart.

It is used as a noninvasive assessment of the overall health of the heart, including a patient’s heart valves and degree of heart muscle contraction.

FAQs

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Yes, we do prefer that you lay on your left side. If you are unable to, we are able to work around that.

Preparing For Your Appointment

PATIENT PREPARATION

  • Dress comfortably, with loose easy to remove clothing.
  • You may eat and take medications as usual prior to your exam.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR EXAM

  • Once you have checked in at the front desk, you’ll be taken back to change.
  • You will be given a gown and asked to disrobe from the waist up.
  • Your weight and height will be taken prior to your exam.
  • Once on the ultrasound bed, your blood pressure will be taken and adhesive electrodes applied to your chest to monitor and record electrocardiogram (ECG) signals.
  • The exam is done with you laying on your left side. The sonographer (ultrasound technologist) will put a small amount of ultrasound gel on your chest and then use an ultrasound transducer (probe) to acquire still and moving images of your heart. In order to obtain good quality images, it is necessary to apply some pressure to your chest with the probe.
  • You will hear sounds when the sonographer activates the Doppler portion of the study.
  • Images of your heart will be recorded and various measurements taken.
  • The data will be reviewed by a radiologist after the exam is completed.

AFTER YOUR EXAM

  • You will be free to go.

Covered by Alberta Health Care

Referrals are necessary for all bookings 

Exam Duration: 45 – 60min

My technician Rhonda and Dr. Venu are absolutely exceptional in their bedside manner. They were thoroughly invested in ensuring I was comfortable, informed, and well taken care of. I’ve had the same family doctor for 26 years and I felt just as comfortable with Dr. Venu and Rhonda today as I do with my own family physician.

Your HomeWatchTM

I was scheduled for an MRI and everything went smoothly and quickly! I was called in not even 5 minutes after my appointment time! The technician in the MRI room was really nice and friendly. Would not hesitate to book again and do the drive from Calgary.

Kathleen Boucher

I use CAMIS in Red Deer as a medical professional and as a patient. Yesterday I used it as a patient to have a pain management procedure with Dr. Mann. The fluoroscopy technicians were very friendly and professional and made the whole process quick and efficient. Dr. Mann was funny and took great pride in keeping everything sterile and as pain free as possible. Overall as a patient and medical professional I give CAMIS a big thumbs up.

Jolene

I cannot say enough good things about all the staff and doctors I interacted with the last two days. What was a very scary and stressful time was made enjoyable, easy, understandable and friendly.

Carrie McKay

I had a Barbotage treatment at the new CAMIS Notre Dame location. I have to say the staff there are excellent. The one in the treatment room with me was so kind, considerate and compassionate). I just want to compliment the lovely lady who assisted the Doctor who was also exceptionally good at trying not to cause me any more pain. Great job done by both of them.

Carole Carnahan

Impressed with my mammogram appointment today, the lineup went quickly and was efficiently managed. Pam was wonderful, these tests aren’t fun but she was kind, gentle, and has an excellent personality. The ladies at the front desk were also friendly and very knowledgeable and answered all my questions . Thank you for a great experience.

C.P.

We travel 1.5 hours for prenatal ultrasounds to come here instead of the 30mins to the place closest to us due to great experiences with the ultrasound techs in Red Deer, they have all been lovely!

Brooke Zimmer

Do You Need An Echocardiogram?

Contact our Camis Care team to ask questions and learn more about our echocardiography services.