Phone: (954) 966-3600 | Fax: (954) 967-1962

Contact Information

Phone: (954) 966-3600

Fax: (954) 967-1962

Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 7:30AM – 8:00PM

Saturday: 8:00AM – 3:00PM

Sunday: Closed

Echocardiogram Versus Ultrasound

Jun 20, 2022

In general, echo and ultrasound are both types of imaging tools that can give doctors information about the heart. While they both use similar technology, they have a few key differences.

The main difference between echocardiograms and ultrasound is that an echocardiogram is usually performed by an expert cardiologist and is best used to diagnose some heart conditions. An ultrasound does not require a specialist but can be done by anyone trained in the procedure. In addition, echocardiogram images tend to be clearer than ultrasound images. 

They can also be used to determine how a heart murmur sounds or measure how much blood flow is present at any given time. Since there are many different types of echo machines, it is important for you to work with professionals who know how to use them effectively to get high-quality images.

Echocardiography is the gold standard for evaluating heart function and can provide valuable information about ventricular size, wall motion abnormalities, and valvular disease. However, ultrasound has the advantage of being relatively non-invasive, widely available, and inexpensive. In addition, ultrasound may be able to provide more detailed images of the heart than echocardiography. 

The main disadvantage of ultrasound is that it cannot visualize all structures in the heart and may not be as sensitive to some changes in cardiac function. Both techniques are useful when used in combination.

Given that echocardiogram is a better way to detect cardiac defects, one should first rule out other causes such as mitral valve prolapse or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before proceeding with an echocardiogram.

Additionally, patients with certain medical conditions should not have echocardiograms due to the risk of further damage. These include kidney disease, intracranial tumors, or pregnant women.

Have Your Echocardiograms and Ultrasounds Done at the Right Place, Hollywood Diagnosticss

There are an increasing number of places that offer these exams, but not every place is good at doing them. That’s why it’s so important to find a medical imaging center that you trust, someone who understands how to interpret the results of these tests. You want to make sure that they’re using the right equipment and that they’re trained in how to interpret the data.

Hollywood Diagnosticss is an excellent place for both echocardiograms and ultrasounds, call today!