An echocardiogram, sometimes known as an “echo,” is a type of scan that may be used to examine the heart and the blood arteries that are close by.

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

• The transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the type of echocardiogram that the majority of patients will get.
• The transducer is responsible for picking up the echoes that are left behind by sound waves and then transferring them into electrical impulses.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

• A transesophageal echocardiogram, or TOE, is a procedure in which a small probe is passed down the throat into your food pipe, and sometimes into your stomach (your throat will be numbed with a local anesthetic spray.

Stress Echocardiography

• A harmless substance known as a contrast agent is injected into your circulation before an echocardiogram is carried out.

• An echocardiography does not expose the patient to any radiation, in contrast to other diagnostic procedures and scans, such as X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
• It is possible that you will have discomfort during the TOE operation, and subsequently, your throat may feel sore for a few hours.
• There is also a remote possibility that the probe will cause damage to your throat.
• It is possible that you will feel queasy and lightheaded as well as have some chest discomfort while undergoing a stress echocardiography.
• In addition, there is a remote possibility that the process might cause an irregular heartbeat or a heart attack; nevertheless, you will be carefully watched throughout the test, and the operation will be terminated if any warning signals appear

The following are examples of things you should try to avoid doing before your echo:

• Eating or drinking.
• smoking cigarettes or utilizing any other goods containing nicotine.
• Consuming caffeine in any form, including coffee and other beverages. This includes caffeine-free beverages, some of which may have trace amounts of caffeine remaining. It also covers medicines available without a prescription that include caffeine in them.
• Before you go in for your echo, it is possible that your regular medication plan will need to be adjusted.