PENTICTON, BC — If you’re having problems with your heart, you’d want to find out right away what’s wrong.
An echocardiogram — or echo for short — is a safe and cost-effective way to diagnose heart issues.
The echo takes an image of the organ using sound waves to allow cardiologists to carefully examine the heart.
But sometimes, an echo comes back unclear, which could lead to improper diagnosis.
“Somewhere between two to ten percent of echoes done are not of diagnostic quality, due to technical problems such as a smoker’s lungs or a thick chest wall,” explains cardiologist Dr. Tom Ashton.
But there’s a way to get a clearer image.
“Micro-bubbles” called contrast agents are used to enhance the signal during an echo exam, resulting in better pictures.
After three years of lobbying, Dr. Ashton and his colleagues have convinced BC Medical to cover the new treatment.
Now major cardiology units in B.C., including Penticton, are equipped with this advanced technology to provide the most accurate and reliable results for patients.
Contrast agents are now available and funded by Medical Services Plan in all echo labs of the province.
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