Newswise — Cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke, is the number one cause of death in the United States, killing more than 953,000 Americans each year. As part of February Heart Health Month, the Heart and Circulation experts at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) are educating patients about ways to improve heart health, and about the non-invasive evaluation that literally allows patients to see their heart health.
Vastly more detailed than an X-ray and without the harmful radiation, echocardiography, also known as a heart ultrasound, is a non-invasive, virtually painless way to view a live, moving picture of the human heart. Heart ultrasounds can help evaluate a heart murmur, measure the size and thickness of the heart, assess damage after a heart attack or other heart disease, measure the blood flow through the heart, and much more. It is the same technology that allows a doctor to see an unborn baby inside of an expectant mother.
Advancements in heart ultrasound technology allow for:"¢ Three-dimensional views of the heart "¢ Exams to be conducted in the field via portable ultrasound machines"¢ Hearts of fetuses to be viewed in the womb for defects that could otherwise go undiscovered until birth
"Cardiovascular Ultrasound is an excellent tool for detecting or ruling out heart disease," said Thomas Ryan, MD, President of The American Society of Echocardiography. "If you have a history or family history of heart disease, taking the time to learn more about cardiovascular ultrasound and talking to your doctor about it could save your life, or the life of a loved one."
In support of Heart Health month, Heart and Circulation experts at ASE share the following simple tips for building and maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, as well as more facts about Heart Ultrasound.
Be heart SMARTStop smoking! It's one of the best things you can do for your heart " not to mention the rest of your body.Maintain a healthy weight. Eat a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Activity is important. Get regular exercise to strengthen your heart. Reduce stress. Life's too short to worry about everything.Talk to your doctor. He/she is your partner in building and maintaining a healthy heart.
What Does Heart Ultrasound Do?♥ Sees the structure of your heart and checks for problems♥ Examines how blood flows through your heart♥ Evaluates your heart before major surgery♥ Measures the size and thickness of your heart and its chambers♥ Yields information on the valves of your heart♥ Helps show if you have a heart murmur♥ Explores problems with the heart muscle ♥ Assesses damage to your heart after a heart attack♥ Rules out abnormalities in your heart♥ Tests your heart's response to exercise
To learn more about heart and circulation ultrasound, view interactive images and descriptions of the various types of heart and circulation ultrasound, or to find a heart and circulation expert physician or ICAEL Accredited Echocardiography laboratory in your area, visit http://www.SeeMyHeart.org.
The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is a professional non-profit organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, nurses and scientists involved in echocardiography, the use of ultrasound to image the heart and cardiovascular system. These heart and circulation specialists are dedicated to improving their patients' health and quality of life. The organization was founded in 1975 and has more than 13,000 members nationally and internationally.
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