What Does Dizziness After An Echocardiogram Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 Answered on

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi! My dad had an echocardiogram a week ago after complaints of dizziness, his only symptom. He is 80 years old. Can we assume (hopefully) that nothing immediately life threatening or critical showed up on the echo if he has not heard anything? Wouldn't the sonographer be obligated to notify the cardiologist immediately if a significant problem was noted? Surely there is a protocol in place to address urgent problems. It seems that sonographers surely know more about what they see on a sonogram than the patient may realize. Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If no further action was taken, then likely nothing serious

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

If there is a serious problem, a sonographer refers it to a cardiologist, and further interventions are done.

If they didn't tell you anything, didn't prescribe further examinations or treatment, then most probably, there was nothing serious.

Hope I could help you

Wishing a good health to your father

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (6 minutes later)

Thank you so much! So it would be reasonably safe to assume that nothing urgent was found on the echocardiogram done a week ago, since he has not been contacted? His follow up appt. was scheduled for Monday, four days from now. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:

Yes, usually patient is contacted in case of urgency.

Take care

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar