Echocardiogram

[PumpkinPie2]

Hello. I am due to have an echocardiogram tomorrow and wondered what I should expect and if I will get my results on the same day or if I will have to wait for an appointment for the results. Thanks

[Lezzers]

Hi

Normally you will have to wait for the results. Somr technicians will tell you what your EF is but that will probably be dependent on who the technician is and what your EF level is. If there's anything the technician is concerned about or wants a medical opinion then the technician may ask a cardiologist to attend.

Good luck 🤞

[PumpkinPie2 in reply to Lezzers]

What is EF? This is all very new to me, so I apologise

[Lezzers in reply to PumpkinPie2]

Your EF is ejection fraction. It's the amount of oxygenated blood that's is pumped out of heart to go round your body/organs & it's used as a measurement for heart function.

Hope that helps. You could ask the technician tomorrow as he/she will be able to explain it better.

[PumpkinPie2 in reply to Lezzers]

This is great, it does help, thank you I appreciate it

[Chinkoflight in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers, you might want to confirm this for the benefit of Pumpkin Pie, that EF is one of those numbers that can seem to a layman to be worryingly low when it's actually very good eg EF 50% is good?

[Lezzers in reply to Chinkoflight]

I've already said ask the technician about the EF, they'll explain it far better than I ever could. And as you've now mentioned an EF of 50 is good, there's no need for me to reiterate it.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Lezzers]

Just to add a bit, EF is the percentage of what your ventricle sucked in that it pushed back out. In a healthy heart it's generally between 50% and 70%. It can be measured for either or both ventricles, but in the absence of a qualifier it generally refers to the left ventricle.

If it goes below 50% they call it "heart failure with reduced ejection fraction", or HFrEF. ("Failure" here is a sub-optimal choice of words because colloquially it means "not working", whereas in cardiology it just means "not working well".)

But EF doesn't tell the full story, as if your heart doesn't suck enough blood in, then pumping back out 50-70% of that still might not be enough. This is called "heart failure with preserved ejection fraction", abbreviated HFpEF.

[Lezzers in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

It was pumpkinpie2 who was asking the question, you might want to redirect your reply to him/her. Sadly, having dealt with HF since 2012 I'm pretty much up there with HFmrEF, HFrEF & HFpEF & pretty much all aspects of HF. I do a lot of research!

HFmrEF is a fairly newish term that is now being used to to distinguish between mildly reduced EF & reduced EF, I believe it was felt that just saying you have a reduced EF didn't really tell the whole story and of course makes a distinction between having severe & mild HF

[Gooner1947]

I had an echocardiogram about 3 months ago.It took about 20 mins or so.

I stripped to waist and laid Firstly on my left side. The person doing it will use the ultrasound thing going over your heart.

You then turn over and lay on right side and same happens.

I tried to just relax.

The results took a few weeks. I was diagnosed severe aortic stenosis by the echocardiogram.

Hope it all goes well for you.

[PumpkinPie2 in reply to Gooner1947]

Thank you so much, I was really hoping to get some sort of idea of what is wrong tomorrow

[PadThaiNoodles]

My echos are always done on my left side and on my back. I've been having them annually for 20 years now (degenerative valve disease).

The technicians don't usually give me any info. But my echos are done at the hospital where my cardiologist has his offices, so he schedules me an appointment immediately after my echo. By the time I've walked across the hospital and sat in his waiting room for the obligatory 20 minutes, he'll have the results.

[PumpkinPie2 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Oh wow, that's lucky you can get your results there and then! That's great. Do you know who the results go back to as I have never seen a cardiologist and I was referred to cardiology for an Echocardiogram but it was the A&E doctor who did the referral.

[Gooner1947 in reply to PumpkinPie2]

After my echocardiogram I was told all results sent to both GP and Cardiologist.I saw cardiologist about a month after the echocardiogram.

I didn't go through A/E.

Are you an in or outpatient?

[PumpkinPie2 in reply to Gooner1947]

I was referred to cardiology from A&E, I ended up in there a couple weeks back (original post on here explains what happened) although the emergency doctor wasn't very clear on what he was telling me

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to PumpkinPie2]

My GP referred me to my first cardiologist. I saw him annually for 6 to 8 years. My echos were usually scheduled a week or so before I was to see him. Lovely guy, but definitely brought up on the "tell them only what they need to know" system that's common here in Ireland. (And from what I've read on here, that system appears to be alive and well in the UK too.)

Anyway, I then ended up in A&E for what I thought were panic attacks (I do have depression, and anxiety is often co-morbid). But the A&E doctor felt something didn't quite add up and brought in the on-call cardiologist who diagnosed SVT. A week later in the mail I got a copy of the full report he sent to my GP. So I switched cardiologists.

I think it was a couple of years after that before the patient records system was up to doing the same-day echo/appointment.

[Alicant in reply to PumpkinPie2]

..and your cardiologist is interested

[Hidden]

I have a routine 6 monthly echo, and much the same experience as others - a follow-up clinic appointment a month later. I've never heard any sharp intakes of breath, or OMGs, but on one occasion I did have a student sit in and had a full commentary. I can tell you, the echo is a highly effective diagnostic tool, they get a lot of detailed information from it, and it's easy.

[Cat04]

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... results took 3 months to get to me & my GP, but it depends on which health authority you are with, some wait longer than others.

[Teresarc]

usually in the appt as the technician has to do lots of calculations

[Kmm53]

I think like many subjects on here it depends on where you happen to be in the country! I've had a few cardiograms and I always ask the technician who performing it for information. Never had any results told to me after by a doctor or had results sent to me. When I asked the guy doing it the last time why that was he said it's requested by the doctor for their consideration for treatment. So it's up to them if they share. I found the technician to be very helpful.

[Silvasava in reply to Kmm53]

I've never been told my results, always had to ask

[Murderfan58]

When I had my echocardiogram my cardiologist had it done as I had never had one before not expecting to find anything. This was 2020. The radiographer didn't say anything about what they found. But couple of weeks later had a letter and saw my cardiologist who said would I have a bubble echocardiogram. He was surprised they found something . Which I was fine with. I am one of those people who never turns down testing . When having the bubble echo the radiographer did say we can see bubbles not where we expected and redid the test 3 more times. If they see bubbles means there's a hole . No bubbles no hole.

Turns out one of the flaps round my heart didn't close before birth . It's between my heart and lungs but its small . But I did laugh when I my cardiologist told me had 3 major operations and 2 minor ones with a dicky heart.

MRI in 2021 confirmed the connections between the chambers of my heart are intact and have a strong heart function. The hole is small and as long as I don't get chest pain safer to leave alone. I do get breathless at times but I don't worry about it . When my heart goes crackers or have heart flutters just relax and it's over in a few minutes. On Flecainide and Apixaban and Ramipril for blood pressure. Been on Ramipril since pre 2017 . I miss heart beats which I know when as I had jaundice in 2017 left me hearing my heart beat in my left ear. But am used to it . I am 66 . Also born with a rare hereditary neurological condition which didn't get diagnosed until 2022 only because my new neurologist had my whole genome genetically tested. Had mobility and pain problems from it since birth but at least before getting getting the results my neurologist put me on Clonazepam in 2020 and after 32 years of limb jerks and 4 seizures within 2 weeks my limbs where still. Still have host of other problems but at least I understand why now.

Just been diagnosed with Osteopenia.

[LeDellec1968]

Hiya. I had me echocardiogram at the beginning of June and the results three weeks later with a cardio consultant. The echocardiogram is them taking photos, videos of heart. Mine was twice as long as normal as they had to get a senior nurse to take over. Nothing major, lying down on the left hand side mainly. Good luck

[mobyfool]

When I had mine a few years ago to detect at fib, just laid on sides while they run the thing over your heart ,nothing to worry about, done and dusted in 20 minutes, took a few weeks to get results.

[sandandkev]

I had a couple- the 1st wasn't told anything as he said he had to do measurements,but I was told if serious someone would be in touch soon,try to relax and breathe normally so the picture is good

[iansHealth1]

just to add my tuppenceworth.

It is as everyone says, bit routine, bit boring, bit annoying when they hike the volume up and I get to hear that noise.

Sets my teeth on edge, but that’s just me I guess.

Just prior to my stay in hospital and cardioversion last week, I was getting one every week.

One thing I did notice was that if nothing changed then the echo might not even be commented on.

Overall, nothing to be concerned about.

[TW28mum]

when my son had his (14) the consultant did it., he was very focused "locked in" was the phrase my son used for about 30 mins. He did it say anything but was measuring real thickness and reviewing each chamber and each valve. he talked me and my son through what he was looking for and what he found straight afterwards. showing us a repeat of some of the pictures and explaining what the ECG had shown and what he was looking for - basically any sign of "sudden death syndrome" they look for in teenager. May have been different because he was a child who collapsed at school during sport so there was no wait for us and because the heart grows at that age we saw a paediatric specialist

[T666]

it’s just like those baby scanning tests. Bit of gel and then running a hand scanner over you. Mine was left side, right side, then flat on back

The results will be sent to a doctor for interpretation/ analysis. You will get the results in a couple of weeks ( depending on local waiting times)

Relax and enjoy😁

[Telstarred1953]

Hello. I have had 2 Echocardiograms, it normally takes 6 weeks to know the results..I expect if it was something they found which needed more urgency,they would let you know sooner.

[Calkeith4]

When I had mine they told me to go and lose myself for an hour as they have to have a meeting, so I knew it wasn't good news. When I got back they said I have severe mitral regurgitation and the only way to fix it is open heart surgery. Bit of a shock but it did explain why I was so worn out as prior to that they thought I just had AFib. Had the surgery in July and getting back to somewhere near normal. Hopefully yours is nothing to worry about, but if there is something the sooner they know what they're dealing with the sooner they can treat it. Good luck.

[Larneybuds]

It's painless and the procedure is nothing to worry about. They don't generally tell you much if anything. I've had several and my partner had one on Friday. My results have always been on the same day...scan done then cardiologist but my partner was told his would be sent to his GP. Hope you don't have to wait long for yours xx

[BTC1997]

As others say, there's nothing to it. It's completely painless although the probe may be pressed very firmly against your chest.

My last one was ten weeks ago and I've yet to get any results, but if the scan reveals anything serious you'll be told and there's even the possibility of being immediately admitted.

[paintbook]

My echo result took 4 months to reach me, my GP did not receive it at all, some are much speedier I hope that yours is.

[Survivor1952]

My first was in May 23, booked as a precaution following chest pains in Oct 22. I have had others since. The echo itself takes about 20 minutes and is the same principle as used to scan in pregnancy. My results came through pretty much immediately on two, the first due to circumstances, the second was a ‘health check’ scan as a follow up to surgery.

[Anothernewbie]

Tip: take a damp cloth or wet wipes to and a dry cloth to remove the gel that is left on your skin after the procedure which is painless. I have had three of these. The first when I asked I was told they were not allowed to comment, and I would hear from my GP. The second `i had an appointment with the cardiologst immediately afterwards and was given the results there and then. The third, the sonograohr gave me a verbal unofficial summary, and almost 2 weeks alter I am still waiting for the official report.

So, as you can see, it all depaends on who does it, where it is done and the hospital's policy.

[FestivalVibes]

Hi … lots of good feedback here; I’ve had two echo’s. One thing I would add from my own personal experience is that the hospital said my results would take two to three weeks, however, the cardiologist sent a letter to my GP the same day … this letter got ‘lost’ in my GP’s admin!! If you are under the NHS you will have access to your hospital health file; just go to their website and look for something like ‘patient portal’, then register etc. Sadly our NHS is under a lot of strain so it’s always good to keep a track of your own journey and nudge your GP if necessary 😉 Hope things go ok for you, it’s a great community here so reach out if you need to … take care of you

[jrcsheffield]

Echoscan and ECG are two different things.

[Avagra]

I’ve had 2 echocardiograms and not had any contact with consultants with either and only two months ago I had a stress cardiac MRI and again no contact face to face or telephone from any consultants! I have however found out my results on my nhs app and apart from the normal scarring after my HA in 2022 all is reasonable ok.I honestly believe it’s a postcode lottery regarding the cardiology service as to being good to poor and in my case the procedure of stenting and rehab was very well executed by the medics involved and from then onwards very poor back up.I finish by saying overall the nhs is excellent!

[KJW66]

Hi, my experience was slightly different to most comments, hopefully exception to the rule. Suffering chest pains, I was transferred from A&E to the Cardio dept. one Friday night last October. In there all weekend being tested. Echo Monday resulted in 2 stents fitted during angiogram within the hour , straight after. Kev.

[dg2024]

They'll look for the ejection fraction, check valves, chamber thicknesses (among other things). The ejection fraction is a key marker for heart performance. Anything between 55 and 70% is normal. If interested you could ask for the report. AI can explain many terms these days.

My experience of such an exam includes about 20mins on the bed while the cardiologist examines your heart. They might then mention at the end the main findings. E.g. the ef, any valve issues. They won't go into minute detail, nor need they. They should explain what the issues might be, if further investigation is needed or what treatment is recommended. E.g. perhaps a heart mri might be recommended or to start on these tablets. Or maybe, do nothing because you're well!

All you need to do is lay down, relax and let the doctors do their amazing work.

[DiyChas]

The simple reply is if there is a problem, your GP will get to you sooner and refer you to a cardiologist.

[Sandybow]

Hello,

The question is why you have been refereed to echo cardiogram?

In any medical check the technical do not give results, you have to wait for results to come to your doctor who did the referral?

There is electro cardiogram and 12 lead stress test as well to look for heart problems.!!

All the best.

[Showgem]

I wasn't told anything on the day. I had a very brief letter a few weeks later which didn't give many details, it just confirmed the size of my Aortic dilatation and said mild Aortic valve regurgitation.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi PumpkinPie2, immediately after my first echo I was told to get dressed and sit in the waiting room as the consultant would see me immediately. Shocked when he said I was in the severe category for heart muscle failure with an EF of 25%. This number doesn't mean your heart is only functioning at a quarter because a healthy heart will have an EF of 60 to 65%. Hope all is going well. Take care.

[RaisCrisp in reply to PinkKizzie]

I am so sorry about your diagnosis but amazed at the immediate knowledge of your scan. I have been told I have to wait 6 mth to fond out anything anf have no contact numbers to ask further

[RaisCrisp]

I had my echocardiogram about 10 days ago, very much like a pushy scan when i was pregnant but on the chest! I am unsure if it is because I am under a London hospital chain but I have had real trouble even finding out where my Cardiology dept or consultant is (and still can't find out) but was also told my results could take 6 mths.This is the joys of NHS.I just hope that nothing major happens to me before then.I was told if it does , go to A & E!! Unsure how if struggling on my own with heart issues

[PinkKizzie in reply to RaisCrisp]

Hi RaisCrisp, thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you will have to wait 6 months for the results, however, if there was anything mega urgent Iam sure they would contact you immediately. I saw the consultant immediately only because my heart failure was in the severe category. Try not to worry too much, easier said than done, I know. Wishing you well. 🫂

[RaisCrisp in reply to PinkKizzie]

Thank you so much for your reply . I hope all goes well for you