Andrew Preston
Echocardiogram Service
Tetbury Echocardiography Service
Tetbury hospital now undertakes consultant approved Echocardiography scans, either requested via your GP or Specialist Consultant. The NHS echocardiography service provided in Tetbury has a shorter waiting time than other centres. All scans and reports are undertaken by a British Society Accredited Echo Physiologist.
What is an Echocardiogram (echo scan)
This is an ultrasound test which allows accurate assessment of your heart muscle, the pumping chambers and the heart valves. A probe is placed on the chest wall and an inaudible ultrasound beam passes out from the probe, reflects back from the structures within the heart and allows the physiologist to build up an accurate image of the heart. A variety of views are taken to look at the heart structures. In addition to the images, Doppler analysis is performed to analyse blood flow through the chambers and across the valves. More specialised analyses can be done looking at particular areas of the heart muscle, it’s movement and its relaxation. The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes and is non invasive.
What happens during an Echocardiogram
If an echocardiogram is requested you will be given a gown and asked to undress to the waist. Stickers or electrodes will then be attached across the chest and leads will be attached to the electrodes. A probe will be placed on your chest in various positions to acquire the detailed images of the heart. Sometimes this can be a little uncomfortable but it will not be painful. You will hear Doppler sounds from the Echo machine as your heart beats and measurements are made through you valves.
What happens after your echocardiogram
After your echocardiogram, the images will be transferred to our secure electronic archive and a report will be written and sent to your Consultant/GP, who will discuss the results of the echocardiogram during your consultation.
The echocardiogram service at Tetbury Hospital is available for NHS and Private Patients
NHS Patients
Please contact your GP for a referral to our echocardiogram service.
Private Patients
Contact our Private Patients Office on 01666 501773 or email privatepatientsoffice@tetburyhospital.co.uk
Private Patient Fee for an echocardiogram - £450
