By Hannah Munson

Echocardiography is a non-evasive medical procedure that can help diagnose and help physicians easily locate or treat heart problems or any defects of the cardiovascular system. It uses echoes to produce ultrasound images called echocardiogram that shows the flow of blood in the heart and surrounding areas.

There are two types of echocardiography: one is transthoracic, a probe will be placed on the patient’s chest. The other is trans esophageal, where a probe is placed down on the patient’s esophagus. The latter is much expensive than the former. Cardiologists will decide what type of ECG test that is most appropriate for an individual. Both types are painless but trans esophageal procedure sometimes requires patients to take local anesthetic to mitigate the tingling feeling as the probe slids down to the patient’s throat. Sometimes intravenous injections are given to separately distinguish the tissue from the blood.

Qualified for Echocardiography?

Patients who have symptoms of heart problems and defects are suggested to undergo echocardiogram stress test. People who are already diagnosed to some heart diseases use echocardiography to track their heart’s behavior and conditions regularly.

Procedure

Three hours before the procedure, patients are advised not to eat and strain away from medications that might likely to alter the course of his/her heartbeat. During the procedure, the patient is asked to reach a specified heart rate through vigorous energetic moves or slow exercising. Once a specified heart rate is already reached, the specialist will again take images from the procedure.

Cost of Echocardiogram

The cost of echocardiography depends on the type of test you went through and any additional medications like anesthesia and intravenous injections are added on the fees. In America, the cost range from $500 to $2500 or more. It depends on the fees that you have to pay for and if the equipment is in higher grade or so. Each state has a surrounding law for medical procedures; sometimes this also affects procedure prices so usually it varies.

If you have health insurance, check if the company will shoulder the costs or in order to prepare your budget. It is also necessary to research in your locality different hospitals and clinics that offer this test; you might get to save a couple of dollars more. But remember that echocardiogram test is much cheaper when done at your doctor’s office that getting it in the hospital.

When you’re ready to get testing done, be sure to consult with your insurance companies. You’re going to find that your policy is going to greatly vary, and may soon find out that some things are covered as well as things that won’t be covered. If you feel that it should be covered, you can always file a claim.

These prices are going to greatly vary depending on the hospital, the doctor performing it and more. Be sure to ask about discounts if you don’t have insurance as many hospitals will offer heavy cash discounts if you pay your balance in full. This is a great way to save.

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