Heart Ultrasound Examination

Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)

 

An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is an important diagnostic tool, a non-invasive, painless examination that helps assess the state of the heart and can aid in the early detection of various heart diseases.

At Visegrádi40 Private Practice, the echocardiogram is performed by Dr. Dóra Szebényi, a specialist in echocardiography and cardiology.

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When Is It Important to Have an Echocardiogram?

1. For Cardiovascular Complaints:

   • Palpitations or feeling of the heart racing in the chest

   • Extremely fast (over 100 beats per minute), slow (under 50 beats per minute), or irregular heart rate

   • Chest pain (sharp or pressing sensation)

   • Shortness of breath (especially during exertion, but also at rest)

   • Dizziness or fainting (when standing up suddenly, sitting up, or bending forward)

   • Unexplained fatigue

   • Neck or arm radiating pain

2. For Recognized Heart Conditions:

   • At least once a year or on an urgent basis if symptoms occur

   • Heart rhythm disorders: extrasystoles or other arrhythmias

   • High blood pressure: long-term hypertension can strain the heart and increase the risk of heart diseases

   • Heart valve problems: such as valve stenosis

   • After a heart attack or heart bypass surgery, regular follow-up is needed, and the cardiologist may recommend an echocardiogram as part of the rehabilitation process.

3. Family History of Heart Diseases:

   • If you have a family history of heart diseases, especially if they developed at a young age, it is advisable to monitor the health of your heart periodically, even if you don’t experience any symptoms.

4. Excluding Pulmonary or Other Diseases:

   • If you have respiratory symptoms due to lung diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and there is no clear explanation, it is important to rule out heart problems.

   • Swollen lymph nodes or edema: if swelling (e.g., limb swelling) or other signs of heart failure occur, an echocardiogram can help in accurate diagnosis.

5. In Older Age:

   • Over 40 years old: As we age, the condition of the heart can change. For older patients, an echocardiogram can help monitor the heart’s health and detect possible diseases early.

6. During Physical Exertion:

   • For Athletes: If you regularly engage in intense physical exercise, an echocardiogram can help monitor the strain on the heart and assess the condition and development of the heart muscle.

7. As Part of a Cardiological Screening:

   • If you wish to prevent heart diseases, especially if you belong to a high-risk group (e.g., obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise), it is worth undergoing a screening that may include an echocardiogram.

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If you recognize any of the above symptoms in yourself, or if there is a history of heart disease in your family, it is advisable to consult with a cardiologist and have the necessary examinations done as soon as possible.

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