Echocardiograms are one of the first tests performed to diagnose the cause of heart-related symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The skilled team at Capital Pediatric Cardiology offers echocardiograms in the office, delivering fast, accurate results so you can get answers about your child’s health and begin customized treatment. Call one of their 10 offices in Sacramento, Roseville, Modesto, Placerville, Cameron Park, Stockton, Chico, Anderson, and Reading, California, or request an appointment online today.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create detailed images of the heart. Your provider performs the echocardiogram using a handheld device (transducer) that sends high-frequency sound waves.
The waves safely and painlessly enter your child’s body, bounce off the structures they encounter and return to the transducer. From there, the information goes to a computer that produces real-time images of your child’s heart.
Capital Pediatric Cardiology performs an echocardiogram when patients have heart-related symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. An echocardiogram can diagnose many cardiovascular conditions, including:
Your child may also need an echocardiogram to evaluate their heart’s health after treatment.
Echocardiograms reveal amazing details about the heart’s structures. They also show movement, allowing your cardiologist to see the valves opening and closing, heart muscles contracting and relaxing, and blood flowing through the heart and blood vessels.
Your child’s echocardiogram can show the following:
Echocardiograms give your cardiologist a complete view of the heart’s health and functioning.
Your Capital Pediatric Cardiology provider puts a gel on your child’s chest, places the transducer against their skin, then moves it around their skin to get the best images.
Women who had ultrasounds during pregnancy know that this procedure should never cause pain. However, children may feel pressure on their chest, which could make some uncomfortable. They also need to lie still for about 30 minutes to ensure your provider gets clear images.
Parents are welcome to stay with their child to help keep them calm. If there’s any concern about their ability to be still and tolerate the procedure, your provider can give them a mild sedative to help them relax.
If your child needs an echocardiogram or you have any questions about their heart, call Capital Pediatric Cardiology or request an appointment online today.