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Richmond Medical Center
Cardiology
 

Echocardiograms

Many patients who are referred to cardiology will have an echocardiogram done to help in evaluating their heart. Sound waves are used to make images of the heart structures. The same technology is used when we need to image a fetus in a mother's womb. This ultrasound technology is safe and has no know risk associated with it. We can evaluate a good deal about the heart by using echo. We can determine if the heart muscle is contracting with the normal force, evaluate whether the valves open and close properly and we can measure how thick the walls of the heart are.

If You Are Scheduled for an Echocardiogram:

1. Wear pants and a top that can easily be removed.

2. There is no need to fast.

3. You can take your normal medications.

4. The test takes between 15-30 minutes with some preparation time prior to testing. You should figure on spending no more than 1 hour with us for this test.

Information: (510) 307-1585

 


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