A Live Picture of Your Heart
Echocardiogram (Echo Test) in Florence, AL
An echocardiogram test, often called an "echo," uses ultrasound waves to create a moving, real-time picture of your heart in action. This echocardiogram examination differs from an EKG, which measures electrical activity; an echo actually shows the structure of your heart: its chambers, valves, and the way blood moves through it with every beat. As an echocardiogram test for heart health, it's painless, uses no radiation, and takes place right in our office.
Dr. Naidu, your echocardiogram doctor and cardiologist, reviews every echo personally, looking at how well your heart muscle is pumping, whether your valves are opening and closing properly, and whether there are any structural issues worth addressing. Because we perform and interpret the test in-house as part of our full range of echocardiogram services, you're not waiting days for results from an outside facility.
If you're managing a heart murmur, valve concern, or a condition like congestive heart failure, an echo often gives us the clearest answers. Request an appointment and let's get you scheduled.
What to Expect
The Echocardiogram Test Procedure
You'll lie on an exam table while a technician applies a small amount of gel to your chest and moves a handheld device called a transducer across the skin. The transducer sends out sound waves that bounce off your heart's structures and return as images displayed on a screen in real time. The test usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and requires no needles, sedation, or recovery time. You can resume your normal activities immediately afterward.
What an Echo Can Detect
An echocardiogram helps diagnose valve disease, including conditions like mitral valve regurgitation and aortic stenosis, as well as heart muscle weakness, fluid around the heart, and congenital heart defects. It's also one of the primary tools we use to evaluate congestive heart failure, since it directly measures how efficiently your heart is pumping blood with each beat. We often pair echo results with a Treadmill/Stress Test when we need to see how your heart performs under exertion as well as at rest.
Preparing for Your Echo
There's very little preparation needed for a standard echocardiogram. Wear comfortable clothing that's easy to remove from the waist up, and avoid applying heavy lotion to your chest the day of your test, since it can interfere with the gel and transducer contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an echocardiogram test, and does it hurt?
An echocardiogram test is painless and non-invasive. You'll feel the gentle pressure of the transducer moving across your skin and the coolness of the ultrasound gel, but there are no needles and no discomfort involved. Most patients find it easy to relax through the entire test.
How much does an echocardiogram test cost without insurance?
Costs vary significantly depending on your specific plan, deductible, and whether additional imaging is needed, so we're not able to quote a single reliable number here. What we can tell you is that we accept most major insurance plans, and if you don't see yours listed, we'll work to get credentialed to accept it. Visit our Insurance page for the full list, or contact our office directly with questions about your coverage.
What's the difference between an echocardiogram and an EKG?
An EKG measures your heart's electrical activity, while an echocardiogram shows the actual physical structure and movement of your heart using ultrasound. Think of an EKG as reading your heart's electrical rhythm and an echo as watching it work in real time. We often use both together, since they answer different questions about your heart health.
How do I schedule an echocardiogram near me?
We perform echocardiograms right here in our Florence office, with results reviewed personally by Dr. Naidu. We also offer online scheduling to make booking easy. Request an appointment and we'll find a time that works. We look forward to seeing you.