Echocardiography

Echocardiography is available every other Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Jackson County Regional Health Center. Studies will be read by Cardiovascular Medicine of the Quad Cities or Medical Associates Cardiology of Dubuque, depending on your choice of Cardiologists.

An Echocardiogram (Echo) is a test that uses high frequency sound waves to create images of your heart. Echocardiograms are performed to evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart in a noninvasive manner. This procedure aids in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathies, the detection of atrial tumors, or pericardial effusions.  It is also used to evaluate cardiac wall motion and function after a heart attack.

A specially trained technologist will place some gel and an instrument called a transducer on your ribs near your sternum. The transducer will be directed toward your heart.  You may be asked to change positions or breathe a little differently to obtain the proper images. All of the information picked up by the transducer is transmitted into electrical impulses and relayed into a machine where the image is displayed and recorded. There is no preparation needed for the test. 

The recording and images are then shown to a cardiologist for interpretation.

Appointments

Appointment scheduling is done through your physician office. For any questions concerning your scheduled exam, please call Imaging Services at  563-652-4053.