Know your heart clearly: some basic knowledge about cardiac ultrasound!

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, which seriously threatens the health of the people. Cardiac ultrasound is a common way to check cardiovascular diseases. Today we will unveil the mystery of cardiac ultrasound and let us learn some relevant knowledge about cardiac ultrasound.

1. What is cardiac ultrasound?

Cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive examination method that uses ultrasound to observe the structure and function of the heart, similar to our common B-ultrasound examination. However, unlike ordinary B-ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound is specifically used to examine the heart and can provide more detailed and accurate information. This examination is performed by the doctor using an ultrasonic instrument to scan the heart area of ​​the chest, and observe the working condition of the heart through images and sounds to determine whether the heart is functioning normally and whether there are any abnormalities. Cardiac ultrasound can not only check the size and shape of the heart, but also observe the movement of each chamber and valve of the heart, as well as the speed and direction of blood flow, which is very helpful for diagnosing heart disease. In cardiac ultrasound examination, the doctor will choose different probes and scanning methods according to the patient's condition to obtain the most accurate data. The whole process is very simple and safe, does not require any irritating operations, and will not cause any harm to the body. Through cardiac ultrasound examination, doctors can promptly detect and diagnose various heart diseases, such as heart valve disease, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, etc., and provide patients with better treatment plans and preventive measures.

2. Contents of cardiac ultrasound examination

Cardiac ultrasound is a common and important medical examination method, which is mainly used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. In a cardiac ultrasound examination, doctors can understand various indicators of the heart by observing the images and sounds of the heart, so as to judge whether the heart is healthy or whether there are any abnormalities. The following are the main contents of cardiac ultrasound examination.

1. Structure. Cardiac ultrasound can clearly show the structure of the heart, including its size, shape, and position. By observing the structure of the heart, doctors can determine whether the heart is developing normally or whether there are any malformations or abnormalities.

2. Function. Cardiac ultrasound can evaluate the function of the heart, including its contraction and relaxation. By observing the contraction and relaxation of the heart, doctors can determine the heart's ability to pump blood and understand whether the heart can effectively transport blood to various organs throughout the body.

3. Valves. Cardiac ultrasound can evaluate the morphology and function of heart valves, including the aortic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and pulmonary valve. By observing the morphology and opening and closing movement of the valves, doctors can determine whether there are problems such as valvular vegetation, valvular stenosis, valvular insufficiency, and whether there are infectious or rheumatic diseases.

4. Blood flow. Cardiac ultrasound can observe the blood flow in the heart, including the blood flow speed and direction in the ventricles. By evaluating the blood flow, doctors can understand whether there are hemodynamic abnormalities in the heart, such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, etc.

5. Embolism. Cardiac ultrasound can detect whether there are emboli in the heart, such as blood clots or bubbles. By observing the internal structure of the heart and blood flow, doctors can promptly detect and diagnose emboli and take appropriate treatment measures.

3. When is a cardiac ultrasound necessary?

1. Adverse symptoms of the heart. If some heart-related symptoms occur, such as chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., it may be a manifestation of heart problems. It is necessary to conduct a cardiac ultrasound examination in time to make a clear diagnosis and formulate a corresponding treatment plan.

2. Family history of heart disease. If someone in the family suffers from heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, etc., then family members are also at a higher risk of developing the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to perform regular cardiac ultrasound examinations to detect potential problems early and take corresponding preventive measures.

3. High-risk groups. Some groups of people have a higher risk of heart disease, such as patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. It is recommended that they undergo regular cardiac ultrasound examinations to detect heart problems in a timely manner and take intervention measures.

4. Pre-surgery evaluation for heart surgery. If heart surgery is required, such as heart valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, etc., cardiac ultrasound can evaluate the structure and function of the heart. Patients need to undergo pre-surgery examinations to provide important basis for pre-surgery evaluation and formulation of surgical plans.

5. Monitoring of drug treatment. Some patients who take drugs to treat heart disease, such as beta-blockers and digitalis drugs, need to undergo regular cardiac ultrasound examinations to monitor the effect of drug treatment and the safety of the heart.

Advantages of cardiac ultrasound examination

1. Non-invasive. Cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive examination method that does not require any irritating operations and will not cause any harm to the body. The patient only needs to lie on the examination bed and the doctor will use ultrasound to examine the patient. The whole process is very safe and comfortable, and the patient will not feel discomfort or pain.

2. High safety. Compared with other cardiac examination methods, such as cardiac catheterization, ordinary cardiac ultrasound examination does not require the use of any radiation or contrast agent, so it will not cause any radiation or allergic reaction to the human body. Especially for patients who need repeated examinations, choosing cardiac ultrasound will not cause any damage to the body, nor will it affect heart function. Patients can undergo cardiac ultrasound examinations at any time as needed to monitor the health of the heart and adjust treatment plans in a timely manner.

3. High accuracy. Cardiac ultrasound can provide high-resolution cardiac images that can clearly show the structure and function of the heart. Doctors can evaluate the health of the heart by observing these images, thereby accurately diagnosing heart disease and formulating appropriate treatment plans.

4. Multiple applications. Cardiac ultrasound can not only be used to diagnose heart disease, but also to evaluate the structure and function of the heart, monitor treatment effects, guide surgical treatment, prevent heart disease, etc. Therefore, in clinical medicine, cardiac ultrasound is widely used in various fields, providing doctors with important diagnostic and treatment basis.

5. Wide range of applications. Cardiac ultrasound is suitable for patients of all ages, including children, pregnant women and other special populations. It can be used to evaluate various heart diseases, such as congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, coronary heart disease, etc., and has high clinical application value.

5. Precautions for cardiac ultrasound examination

1. Preparation. Usually, no special preparation is required for cardiac ultrasound examination. Patients can eat and drink as per their normal lifestyle and continue to take their daily medications. However, before the examination, patients should inform their doctors about their medical history and medications. In addition, some foods or drinks containing caffeine may cause the heart rate to increase and affect the results of cardiac ultrasound examination, so it is best to avoid consuming them before the examination.

2. Wear comfortable clothes. During a cardiac ultrasound examination, patients usually need to lie on the examination bed, unbutton their shirts, and expose their upper body to facilitate the doctor's examination. Therefore, patients should choose to wear comfortable and loose clothes before the examination, and avoid wearing overly complicated or tight clothes, which can effectively save examination time.

3. Relax. Cardiac ultrasound is a painless and non-invasive examination method, without any irritation or pain. Therefore, patients should relax during the examination, avoid a rapid heartbeat due to tension, and cooperate with the doctor's instructions to ensure the smooth progress of the examination.

4. Cooperate with the doctor. During a cardiac ultrasound examination, the patient needs to cooperate with the doctor's requirements, such as adjusting body position, taking deep breaths, etc. This can help the doctor obtain clearer and more accurate cardiac images and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the examination.

Conclusion

The above is some small knowledge about cardiac ultrasound. Through today's popular science, I believe everyone has a deeper understanding of cardiac ultrasound examination. Protecting heart health starts with understanding your own heart. Let us care for our hearts together and live a healthy and happy life!

Author: Zhong Xiaoxia Department of Ultrasound, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University