If you have been dealing with unexplained chest pain, a racing heartbeat, or sudden shortness of breath, getting clear answers is your first step toward relief. At Premier Choice Cardiology, we know that any symptom related to your heart can feel stressful. That is exactly why Dr. Tanveer Ahmad and our staff provide cutting-edge echocardiography close to your home. You get the specialized testing you need without the hassle of driving to a busy hospital or outside imaging facility.
A physical exam and a stethoscope can tell a cardiologist a lot. But they can’t show us the internal mechanics of a beating heart. An echocardiogram takes away the guesswork. Here is a breakdown of what we are typically looking for on the screen:
You usually don’t wake up one morning and decide to get an echocardiogram just for fun. You need a medical reason. A primary care physician or a cardiologist orders the test because a routine checkup caught something unusual. Other common reasons include
Not all echocardiograms are the exact same. Our cardiologist might need a different angle or a different set of conditions to see the whole picture. At Premier Choice Cardiology, we provide comprehensive diagnostic options customized to your specific needs.
This is the standard echocardiogram. Transthoracic just means across the chest. The technician places the wand directly on the outside of your chest wall. It’s completely non-invasive and handles about 80% of our diagnostic needs.
Sometimes, your lungs or your ribs get in the way of the sound waves. This gives us a blurry picture of the back of your heart. In a TEE, we numb your throat and guide a very thin & flexible ultrasound probe down your esophagus. Because your esophagus sits right directly behind your heart, this method gives us incredibly sharp, highly detailed images of the heart valves without any bones blocking the view.
Heart problems like blocked arteries often hide when you are resting comfortably. They only show up when your heart is forced to work hard. We take a quick ultrasound of your heart at rest for a stress echo. Then, we put you on a treadmill to get your heart rate up. The moment you step off, we take another set of images to see if any parts of your heart muscle struggle when they are deprived of extra oxygen.
The science behind the test is rooted in basic sonar. The transducer wand acts as both a speaker and a microphone.
It shoots out high-frequency sound waves that human ears can’t pick up. As these waves travel through your chest tissue and hit the dense muscle of your heart, they echo back. The machine calculates exactly how long it takes for the echo to return and uses that data to draw a moving picture.
One of the best things about a standard transthoracic echocardiogram is how little prep it requires
You can eat your normal breakfast. You can drink your morning coffee. There are zero dietary restrictions.
Keep taking all your prescribed medications unless your cardiologist specifically told you otherwise.
Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit. We will need access to your chest, so wearing a separate top and bottom makes it much easier to change into a medical gown.
Walking into a cardiology testing room can naturally make anyone a little anxious. Here is exactly how your appointment will unfold:
You won’t get your final diagnosis from the technician doing the scan. A board-certified cardiologist must interpret them.
The images are sent directly to a cardiologist at Premier Choice Cardiology once your scan is done. Our cardiologist will sit down with you to discuss the findings. We look closely at the Ejection Fraction. A normal EF is usually between 50% and 70%. If your number is lower, we start discussing treatment options
When dealing with something as crucial as your heart, you don’t just want a test; you want answers you can trust.
At Premier Choice Cardiology in Lakewood and Brick, we serve the New Jersey community with a patient-first approach. Here is why patients trust us for echocardiography:
Our facility meets tough national standards. When we hand you your results, you know they are completely accurate.
You don’t have to navigate massive waiting rooms. Get your scan done right here in our quiet, comfortable clinic.
Medical tests are stressful enough. Our team actually takes the time to talk you through the process and answer your questions.
Most major insurance providers cover echocardiograms as long as they are deemed medically necessary. Medically necessary simply means your doctor documented a valid symptom that justifies the test.
Our front office staff will take the time to verify your specific insurance benefits before your appointment. We will let you know exactly what your copay or deductible responsibilities look like so you aren’t hit with a surprise bill a month later.
If your primary care doctor told you to get an echo, just have them fax the referral order over to our office. From there, we handle the scheduling, the scanning, and the reporting.
Waiting on heart tests is stressful, but getting the answers you need shouldn’t be. Our team is here to make the process as smooth whether your primary doctor just handed you a referral or you simply need a follow-up scan.
No. An EKG looks at the electrical activity of your heart. An echocardiogram shows the structure and how well the muscle and valves are working.
Yes. Echocardiograms use sound waves only. So there’s no radiation risk to you or the baby.
The images are reviewed by Dr. Ahmad. You’ll usually hear back within a few days or sooner if something needs quick attention.
Yes. The test works the same way and is often used to check congenital heart issues or other concerns in younger patients.
Dr. Ahmad will explain the findings and discuss next steps with you. That might mean medication changes or further testing for a clearer picture.
