Echocardiogram

[fruitsalad]

I had one of these yesterday, and I couldn't believe how many times I was told to hold my breath then let it out, I thought I was going to pass out at one point, why do you need to keep holding your breath so many times during this test.

[pixie374]

I have had them, but never been told to do that. They must have been checking for something specific. Hope all is well xx

[fruitsalad]

Thank you pixie If they had ask once or twice I could of understood it, but they must of ask me to do it at least 12 times.

[pixie374]

Have they given you any results yet? I got mine within about 20 mins (anxiety only) but they didn't let me leave until they had them.
Hopefully, someone might be able to tell you the reason x

[fruitsalad]

No they said the results would be sent to my gp

[pixie374]

That's good they aren't thinking it's urgent... best wishes x

[pixie374]

Were they checking oxygen levels too?

[Milo2]

I had one a few years ago but wasn’t asked to hold my breath and I was told the results straight away by the person conducting the test. As Pixie says they must have been looking for something specific.

[Sqad]

Normal breathing can distort the shape of the heart especially in far people.
The idea of an echocardiogram is to see if any of the Chambers are enlarged and if the valves are working
This can be assisted the patient holding his/her breat.h

[Sqad]

fat people

[EdmundD]

It's so that they can get a reading with your body perfectly still. I have CT scans from time to time and they ask the same.

[fruitsalad]

Thank you for all input, by the way I'm not that fat Sqad :)

[Peter Pedant]

and not people far, far away
when the diaphragm goes up and down so does the heart and it can also twist

they basically want a good view and the same view when they do the coloury things ( doppler velocity )

you are of course allowed to see your tests
under all sorts of acts and the GP is probably the best person - he will also get the report

[Musictv2019]

I have them every year at my cardiac clinic.