What diseases can be detected by echocardiography?

Generally speaking, color Doppler echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) can detect various heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, congenital heart disease, myocardial infarction, and valvular heart disease. If a heart abnormality is suspected, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for this examination and appropriate evaluation. Specific details are as follows:

1. Cardiomyopathy: This is an organic heart disease that may be caused by multiple factors including genetics and toxins. Cardiac ultrasound can display the structure, size, and myocardial thickness of the heart, thereby enabling diagnosis of cardiomyopathy.

2. Pericardial effusion: Cardiac ultrasound can accurately determine whether fluid is present in the pericardial cavity and assess the volume of the effusion. Pericardial effusion may result from various causes such as infection or connective tissue diseases.

3. Congenital heart disease: Cardiac ultrasound allows detailed observation of cardiac anatomy, including the size and shape of the atria and ventricles and the opening and closing of heart valves. For congenital heart defects such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect, ultrasound can directly visualize these structural abnormalities, providing clear diagnostic evidence for physicians.

4. Myocardial infarction: Cardiac ultrasound can assess wall motion of the ventricles. In acute cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction, ultrasound can identify regions with abnormal wall motion, which often correspond to areas of myocardial ischemia or necrosis.

5. Valvular heart disease: Heart valves play a crucial role in normal cardiac function by regulating the direction of blood flow within the heart. Through cardiac ultrasound, the opening and closing of heart valves can be observed, along with any abnormalities such as stenosis or insufficiency, thus helping to diagnose valvular heart disease.

After undergoing cardiac ultrasound, it is advisable to maintain a relaxed mindset and avoid excessive anxiety. It is also recommended to ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and engage in moderate physical exercise regularly, all of which are beneficial for overall health.