Echo/Holter

Echotechnician Blayne Gordon conducts echocardiograms and fits patients with holter and event monitors at our practice. Holter and event monitor recordings are reviewed by a cardiologist.

  • How can I prepare?
    • No special preparation is necessary.

  • What is an echocardiogram?
    • An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. The test provides useful information about the size of the chambers of the heart, the pumping function of the heart, the valve function of the heart and the blood volume status, among other things. Echocardiography is extremely safe with no known risk from its clinical use. The procedure usually takes 15-20 minutes. In the procedure, a clear gel is applied to the chest and then an echo transducer is placed on top of the chest as the echo technologist takes recordings from several different areas.

  • What is a holter/event monitor?
    • Holter and event monitors record the heart’s electrical activity to diagnose any problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. They are small portable devices that you wear during your daily activities. A holter monitor will record your heartbeat the entire time you are wearing it. An event monitor will record your heartbeat only at certain times while you are wearing it.