Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to detect the structure of some internal organs of the human body. This procedure is painless, non-invasive, and does not use radiation. Ultrasound is a very important tool in diagnosis and treatment of many areas of the body. Using the Phillips i-U22 Ultrasound, ultrasound exams at VCHS are quick, easy, and provide amazingly clear images.

What is echocardiography?

Echocardiography is used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it is one of the most widely used diagnostic tests for heart disease. It can provide a wealth of helpful information, including the size and shape of the heart, its pumping capacity and the location and extent of any damage to its tissues. It is especially useful for assessing diseases of the heart valves. It not only allows doctors to evaluate the heart valves, but it can detect abnormalities in the pattern of blood flow, such as the backward flow of blood through partly closed heart valves, known as regurgitation. By assessing the motion of the heart wall, echocardiography can help detect the presence and assess the severity of coronary artery disease, as well as help determine whether any chest pain is related to heart disease. The biggest advantage to echocardiography is that it is noninvasive and has no known risks or side effects.

To learn more about ultrasound imaging, call 308.728.4200.