We all know that our hearts are necessary. They pump blood to every cell in the body. But what do you do when your heart isn’t pumping as it should? That’s where an echocardiogram comes in. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, such a test can be accurate when you find a specialist. These experts will ensure high accuracy in the results. It means that the echocardiogram in Philadelphia will guide the proper treatment for the cardiovascular problem. Here are common cardiovascular conditions an echocardiogram can reveal.
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Congenital Heart Disease
One everyday use is to screen for congenital heart disease in newborns. Congenital heart disease is a defect in the heart at birth. It can affect how blood flows through the heart or how the heart pumps blood. Some congenital heart defects are very mild and don’t cause any problems. Others can be severe and lead to heart failure or death.
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Aortic Stenosis
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aorta. This is the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the aorta becomes narrowed, it can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood out to the rest of the body. Aortic stenosis is most common in older adults.
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. It can lead to shortness of breath and organ damage.
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Mitral Valve Prolapse
In mitral valve prolapse, one of the valves in your heart—the mitral valve—doesn’t close completely when your heart beats. This allows blood to leak backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium, which can cause it to stretch and thicken as it tries to pump harder.
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Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
There is a hole in the dividing wall between the upper chambers of your heart—the atria. When this hole is present, it’s called an atrial septal defect (ASD). It makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
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Valvular Sclerosis
Valvular sclerosis is a condition in which the heart’s valves become thick and stiff. This makes it difficult for the valves to open and close properly. It can lead to problems with blood flow through the heart. Valvular sclerosis is most common in older adults.
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Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. When this happens, it can make it easier for your heart to pump blood at high pressure through this weak area. If the bulge gets bigger or bursts, it can be life-threatening.
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Valvular Regurgitation
Valvular regurgitation is a leakage of blood backward through a heart valve. This can be caused by many different things, including aging and high blood pressure. When the heart tries to pump against this pressure, it will become thicker as it tries to do its job.
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Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is the medical term for any disease of the heart muscle. There are many different types, but it can make it harder for your heart to pump blood and build up fluid in the chest or lungs.
Congenital heart defects, aortic stenosis, and pulmonary hypertension are just some of the many cardiovascular conditions that an echocardiogram can reveal. An echocardiogram is also helpful for screening newborns with congenital heart diseases and adults at risk due to aging or high blood pressure.
