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Understanding Your Echocardiogram Results: What Do Those Numbers Mean?
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Introduction
An echocardiogram is a key diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart. It helps assess heart function, structure, and blood flow, making it a crucial tool for detecting a range of cardiac conditions. Understanding the results can provide insights into heart health and guide further medical decisions.
What does an echocardiogram show?
It allows doctors to evaluate heart health by examining:
Heart Chambers and Walls – Identifies changes in size, thickness, and movement, helping diagnose heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
Heart Valves – Detects valve diseases like stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage).
Blood Flow and Pumping Efficiency – Measures ejection fraction (EF) to determine how well the heart pumps blood.
Congenital Heart Defects – Detects structural abnormalities that develop before birth.
Clots and Fluids Around the Heart – Help detect pericardial effusion or heart infections.
An echocardiogram is essential for diagnosing heart disease, monitoring heart conditions, and guiding treatment decisions, making it a valuable tool in cardiac care.
How an Echocardiogram Works
There are several types of echocardiograms, each serving a specific purpose:
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE): The most common type, performed by placing a probe on the chest.
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): Uses a probe inserted into the oesophagus (gullet) for clearer images of the heart.
- Doppler Echocardiogram: Measures blood flow and velocity within the heart.
- Stress Echocardiogram: Evaluates heart function under physical or pharmacological stress.
Ultrasound waves bounce off heart structures to generate real-time images, helping diagnose heart disease, valve disorders, and abnormal blood flow patterns.
Key Measurements In An Echocardiogram
1. Heart Function Indicators
- Ejection Fraction (EF): Percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat. A normal EF is 55-70%. Lower values suggest heart failure.
- Stroke Volume (SV): The amount of blood ejected per heartbeat, measured in millilitres.
- Cardiac Output (CO): The total volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, calculated as stroke volume x heart rate.
2. Structural Measurements
- Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Dimension (LVEDD): This measures the size of the left ventricle when it is relaxed and filled with blood. A larger-than-normal size may indicate the heart is working harder than it should.
- Left Ventricular End-Systolic Dimension (LVESD): This measures the size of the left ventricle after it has contracted. It helps assess how well the heart is pumping blood out.
- Wall Thickness: The thickness of the heart walls is assessed to check for conditions where the walls are too thick (hypertrophy) or too thin, both of which can affect heart function.
3. Valve and Blood Flow Assessments
- Doppler Flow Velocities: This test measures how fast blood is moving through the heart and in which direction. It helps identify problems with blood circulation.
- Valve Function: This checks if the heart valves are working properly. It can detect regurgitation (when valves leak and let blood flow backward) or stenosis (when valves become too narrow and restrict blood flow). Both conditions can strain the heart and cause symptoms like breathlessness or fatigue.
Normal vs. Abnormal Echocardiogram Results
What Abnormal Values May Indicate:
- Low Ejection Fraction: Suggests weakened heart function, possibly heart failure (heart pumping issues).
- Enlarged Heart Chambers: This means the heart's pumping chambers have stretched or expanded, which can happen in conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy. It may reduce the heart's ability to pump efficiently.
- Thickened Walls: This occurs when the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, often due to high blood pressure or genetic conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It can make it harder for the heart to pump blood properly.
- Abnormal Valve Function: May indicate stenosis, regurgitation, or valve prolapse.
- Fluid Around the Heart: Suggests pericardial effusion, which may require further evaluation.
How long does it take to get the results of an echocardiogram?
If you choose to go through the NHS, waiting times for echocardiogram results can be significantly longer compared to a private scan. With NHS waiting lists at their highest since the pandemic, it may take months to get an echocardiogram appointment. In some cases, the sonographer performing the scan may provide a brief overview of the findings on the same day. However, in most situations, patients must wait until their next consultation with the referring doctor, which can take around four weeks or more.
By booking an echocardiogram with GetScanned, you can have your scan within days, at a time and location that suits you—without needing any referral.
What to Do After Receiving Your Results
If your results are outside the normal range, it’s important to consult a cardiologist. Depending on the findings, further tests may be needed, such as:
- Cardiac MRI or CT Scan – For detailed imaging.
- Stress Test – To assess heart performance under exertion.
- Blood Tests – To check for markers of heart disease.
Inconclusive Results: Sometimes, echocardiograms may not provide clear answers, in which case follow-up tests like a TEE may be recommended.
Conclusion
Understanding your echocardiogram results helps you take a proactive approach to heart health. While minor variations in measurements can be normal, significant abnormalities should always be reviewed by a cardiologist. Early detection and timely intervention can prevent complications, improve heart function, and enhance overall well-being.
If you are experiencing heart-related symptoms, don’t wait to take action. GetScanned connects you with trusted diagnostic centers, offering high-quality echocardiogram scans at the best prices.
Take control of your heart health today – Book your echocardiogram with GetScanned now!
FAQ
1. Can echocardiogram results change over time?
Yes, heart function can improve or worsen depending on lifestyle, medication, or underlying conditions. Repeat echocardiograms help track changes.
2. Do abnormal results always mean heart disease?
Not necessarily. Some variations can be normal, while others might need further testing. A doctor will help interpret the findings.
3. How often should an echocardiogram be repeated?
It depends on the condition being monitored. Some people need yearly scans, while others only require follow-ups if symptoms change.
4. What are the normal results for an echocardiogram?
Normal results mean the heart is pumping well, valves are working properly, and there are no major structural problems. A doctor can explain specific numbers in detail.
5. What is a good echocardiogram score?
There isn’t a single ‘score,’ but a normal ejection fraction (55-70%) and healthy valve function are good signs of heart health.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP-referral?
No prior GP-referral is required. Booking with us includes a GP phone consultation and referral. Shortly after booking you will be contacted by a GP from our team who will discuss your scan and provide a referral.
How long is an MRI scan?
MRI scans generally take a bit longer than other types of scans. Individual scans take 10-30 minutes depending on the body part being scanned, overall it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. You do have to lay very still for an MRI and if there is movement the scan may need to be repeated which can add some additional time.
What’s included in my booking?
With your GetScanned booking, you will receive:
- A pre-scan phone consultation with a member of our medical team.
- A referral for the scan.
- Scheduling of a private MRI scan at your preferred scanning centre.
- Access to your written report by a radiologist.
- Access to your scan images (online and downloadable).
How much is a private MRI scan?
A private MRI scan cost varies depending on the part of the body being scanned and the location the scan is performed. Generally, a private MRI scan in the UK starts at around £350, and includes the scheduling, scan itself and results.
What’s the difference between an open and closed MRI?
Closed MRI machines are the traditional and first type of MRI. They are used more frequently because they provide higher quality images, however they aren’t ideal for certain types of scan or when the patient has limited mobility. Open or wide-bore MRI machines don’t involve lying in a tight cylinder, instead they have wider openings with more space and are therefore considered better if you suffer from claustrophobia. A standing MRI or upright MRI is a new type of open MRI that allows the patient to be in various different positions, including weight bearing positions. If you would prefer an open MRI please filter by MRI type to find an open MRI near you, but please be aware it is only available at certain locations.
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