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Writer's pictureDr Woo JW

The Future of Heart Health: An Introduction to Portable Echocardiography

Updated: Mar 6

Bringing Heart Health Monitoring Closer to Home


Doctor monitoring the portable echocardiograpy machine while an elderly patient lies down

Imagine having a small device that can look inside your body and show you what’s happening in real-time. Sounds like science fiction, right? But it’s not! It’s called Portable Echocardiography.


Echocardiography is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. The picture is much more detailed than a regular X-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.


Traditionally, echocardiography machines were large and bulky, making them difficult to move. But thanks to advancements in technology, we now have portable versions. These devices are small enough to carry around, making it possible to use them at the patient’s bedside, in the doctor’s office, or even in remote locations.


Portable echocardiography brings the power of heart imaging to the palm of your hand. It allows doctors to check how well your heart is working, diagnose heart problems, and monitor heart conditions. All of this can be done without the need for invasive procedures.


What to Expect

First, you’ll be asked to remove any clothing from the waist up and lie down on an examination table. A small device called a transducer will be used, which is about the size of a computer mouse.


Next, a special gel is applied to your chest. This gel helps the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminates air pockets between the transducer and the skin.


The doctor or sonographer will move the transducer back and forth over your chest area. The transducer sends a signal to a computer, which processes the echoes into an image of your heart.


Once the images are captured, they are interpreted by a cardiologist. The images can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart muscle, and how well the heart chambers and valves are functioning.


After the procedure, you can immediately return to your normal activities. The results of the echocardiogram will guide your doctor in planning any necessary treatment.


Portable Echocardiography is a simple, non-invasive procedure that provides valuable information about the heart. It’s like having a window to your heart, anytime, anywhere. So, here’s to better heart health with portable echocardiography!


At Sunrise Heart Specialist Clinic, Dr. Woo and his team are dedicated to keeping your heart healthy. With years of experience and a passion for heart health, we provide top-notch care tailored to your needs. Book an appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier heart. Your heart doesn’t rest, and neither do we.



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