Cardiovascular Ultrasound Imaging 

An echocardiogram or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of your heart that your provider can view on a monitor.

When you have an echocardiogram, a specially trained technician uses a transducer (a type of probe) to transmit the sound waves through your skin and muscle to your heart. The sound is far too high pitched for you to hear, and you can't feel it either.

Sound waves bounce off your heart at different frequencies, which the transducer picks up and relays to the computer system. The software then translates these echoes into information that produces images of the valves, blood vessels, and chambers that make up your heart.


Exercise stress test

Patients connected to an EKG machine walk or run on a treadmill to speed their heart rates. The test results show whether there is an adequate blood flow to the heart during exercise. These tests are valuable tools in the detection of coronary artery disease and angina (severe chest pain). 


What Happens During the Procedure?

There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for your echocardiogram. On the day of your appointment, our staff will provide you with a gown to wear, so you can undress from the waist up.

You lie on an exam table, and your provider attaches electrodes to the surface of your skin. The electrodes record information about your heart’s activity during your echocardiogram.

Before they use the ultrasound technology, the providers apply a gel to your chest that helps a transducer glide across your skin. The transducer is a handheld device that delivers sound waves through your skin. These sound waves bounce off your inner tissues to create pictures of your heart.

Throughout testing, your provider moves the transducer around your chest and views images of your heart on a monitor. You may need to breathe or move a certain way throughout the test, so your provider can get the clearest images.

Why would I need an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram can help diagnose common conditions like heart failure, congenital heart disease, and valve problems. It can also check for impaired blood supply in heart muscle tissue, wall abnormalities, and blood flow, which can indicate a heart attack.

Highest Level of Patient Comfort

  • Clothing: Wear something lightweight and comfortable that is easy to take on and off. Avoid wearing clothing with many metal snaps, zippers, or hooks.
  • Dental Devices: If you wear dentures or partial dental plates, they must be removed.
  • Hair Products: Many hair products, such as "Topik," to cover hair loss or attachable hair weaves contain magnetic particles that must be removed.
  • Hair Accessories: Any hair clips, ties, or pins made of metal or with metal parts must be removed.
  • Jewelry: All metal jewelry and watches must be removed.
  • Makeup: Because some makeup, particularly mascara, is made with a metallic base, it is best not to wear much makeup only a little after your appointment.

Beyond our advanced technology, we have tailored our services to provide the highest level of patient comfort.


South Coast Advanced Imaging provides comfortable surroundings for a relaxing imaging experience. Offering same-day and next-day appointments, fast registration, and quick delivery of results, South Coast Advanced Imaging is your choice for outpatient imaging.

Open 7 Days a Week - Walk-Ins Welcome

  • Patients do not need an appointment at South Coast Advanced Imaging.
  • Patients are seen as quickly as possible on a walk-in basis. Our staff will let patients know of any delays.

Call today at (949) 342-8522 for expert ultrasound imaging solutions

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