Cardiac ultrasound
An echocardiogram or cardiac ultrasound, is an examination that makes it possible to observe all the structures of the heart, i.e. the valves and chambers (atria and ventricles) and the tone of the heart muscle.
Your healthcare professional may prescribe an echocardiography to:
- Confirm the cardiac cause of symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain
- Determine the impact of diseases on the heart (e.g. high blood pressure, pulmonary arterial hypertension)
- Diagnose a heart defect or heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
- Diagnose heart failure
- Look for or assess an anomaly with the heart valves (valvular disease)
- Observe the presence of a blood clot
- Study the pericardium (the sac around the heart) or the thoracic aorta
Examination procedure
For the examination procedure, you will be asked:
- to change into a hospital gown and remove your jewellery and other metal objects, which can interfere with image quality
- to lay comfortably on an examination table. The technician will apply a warm gel on the region that will be observed
- to remain still while our radiologist or the technician moves the ultrasound sensor slowly to take images
Please note that the total duration of your visit for this examination can be between 45 and 60 minutes.
Preparing for the Examination
No preparation is required prior to a cardiac ultrasound. Do not wear body cream or perfume.
A medical prescription is required to perform this examination. The cost of this examination is not covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
If your health care professional has prescribed this test for you or you have any questions, please call us at 1-833-590-2714.
