What is an Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart.

In addition to providing single-dimension images, known as M-mode echo that allows accurate measurement of the heart chambers, the echocardiogram also offers far more sophisticated and advanced imaging. This is known as two- dimensional (2-D) Echo and is capable of displaying a cross-sectional "slice" of the beating heart, including the chambers, valves and the major blood vessels that exit from the left and right ventricle Sticky patches or electrodes are attached to the chest and shoulders and connected to electrodes or wires. These help to record the electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) during the echocardiography test. The EKG helps in the timing of various cardiac events (filling and emptying of chambers). A colorless gel is then applied to the chest and the echo transducer is placed on top of it. The echo technologist then makes recordings from different parts of the chest to obtain several views of the heart.

What is the difference between an ECG and Echo tests done for heart ailments? An ECG is used to measure:
* Any damage to the heart * How fast your heart is beating and whether it is beating normally * The effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (such as a pacemaker) * The size and position of your heart chambers An ECG is a very useful tool for determining whether a person has heart disease. The 12-lead ECG is crucial for establishing many cardiac diagnoses, especially arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia. It can also identify atrial enlargement, ventricular hypertrophy, and conditions that predispose to syncope or sudden death (eg, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome). A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart's rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 48 hours during normal activity. An exercise stress test is a screening tool to test the effect of exercise on your heart. It provides an overall look at the health of your heart. You will walk or pedal on an exercise machine while the electrical activity of your heart is measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood pressure readings are taken. This will measure your heart's reaction to your body's increased need for oxygen.

Echocardiography test

is performed to evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart in a noninvasive manner. The echocardiogram allows doctors to evaluate heart murmurs, check the pumping function of the heart, and evaluate patients who have had heart attacks. It is a very good screening test for heart disease in certain groups of patients.

Abnormal results may indicate heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, or other cardiac abnormalities. A stress echocardiogram includes the following steps: * A resting echocardiogram will be done first. * You will exercise or be given medicine until you reach the target heart rate. This helps reveal how your heart works when you are active. * Your blood pressure and heart rhythm (ECG) will be monitored throughout the procedure. * Ultrasound images will be recorded during the procedure. * Another echocardiogram is taken immediately after your target heart rate has been reached. The ultrasound images will reveal any parts of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.

ECG and EEG Electroencephalogram or EEG is related to the brain and electrocardiogram or ECG is related to the heart. EEG is the equipment used for measuring electrical activities of the brain. On the other hand, ECG is used for measuring activities of heart. Doppler echocardiography: is a procedure which uses ultrasound technology to examine the heart and blood vessels.[1] An echocardiogram uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the heart while the use of Doppler technology allows determination the speed and direction of blood flow by utilizing the Doppler effect. An echocardiogram can, within certain limits, produce accurate assessment of the direction of blood flow and the velocity of blood and cardiac tissue at any arbitrary point using the Doppler effect. One of the limitations is that the ultrasound beam should be as parallel to the blood flow as possible. Velocity measurements allow assessment of cardiac valve areas and function, any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), calculation of the cardiac output and calculation of E/A ratio[2] (a measure of diastolic dysfunction). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using gas-filled microbubble contrast media can be used to improve velocity or other flow-related medical measurements. Although "Doppler" has become synonymous with "velocity measurement" in medical imaging, in many cases it is not the frequency shift (Doppler shift) of the received signal that is measured, but the phase shift (when the received signal arrives).