You may hear a pulsing ‘whooshing sound’. The sound waves create images of your heart which you may be able to see on the monitor. Many different views of your heart will be taken to give a better idea of what the heart looks like. Be sure to tell the operator if it is uncomfortable. Sometimes the images are difficult to get and the probe needs to be moved around so there may be some discomfort to the chest wall. A technician or your doctor will put a special jelly on to a probe which is then placed on your chest and moved around until a good quality image of your heart is recorded. The standard trans-thoracic echo involves you lying on your back or side. Rarely, the tube may scrape the inside of your throat leaving it sore a little longer. If a trans-oesophageal echo is done, your throat may be sore for a few hours afterward. You may feel some discomfort on your chest wall as the probe is moved around on your chest to get the best pictures. There are no risks involved in a standard trans-thoracic echocardiogram. Your doctor may suggest doing this test if he or she suspects problems with the heart valves or you have symptoms of shortness of breath or chest pain. It can ‘see’ how well the heart is pumping, whether the heart valves are opening and closing normally, determine if there is any clot in your heart, detect infection on your valves or fluid surrounding your heart and signs of heart failure. This common test is done to look at the size and functioning of your heart. Trans-oesophageal echo (TOE): a smaller probe is passed down into your oesophagus allowing detailed pictures of the heart’s structures to be seen because your oesophagus is right behind the heart. Trans-thoracic echo (TTE): a doppler probe device is moved over your chest creating sound wave pictures of your heart through your chest wall It allows your doctor to “see” how your heart muscle is working and how your heart valves are opening and closing.
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