Normal Echocardiogram Measurements
Understanding what is normal is the first step towards recognizing something that isn't.. In heart health, understanding standard measurements enables us to identify early signs of trouble, allowing us to take steps to conserve our heart health. Normal values serve as a baseline for comparison, allowing doctors to identify anomalies.
Specific measurements enable the heart to function properly. When these measurements change, it indicates the beginning of a disease process or the progression of an existing one.
In this blog, Gauze will help you explore the measurements on an echocardiogram and discuss their normal ranges, enabling you to understand the significance of these numbers for your heart health.
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, also known as a heart ultrasound, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to diagnose heart conditions, congenital heart defects, and structural heart defects.
Healthy heart function
A normal heart has chambers, vessels (arteries and veins), and valves- the blood flows in a circulatory pattern from
body - heart - lungs - heart - body
When all chambers and valves function correctly, the blood is pumped through the heart to the lungs for oxygen, then back to the heart, and out into the body to supply oxygen. When valves, vessels, or chambers are malformed, this circulatory pattern is disturbed.
What does an echocardiogram show?
It shows the structure and how well the heart is pumping blood. It shows
- Heart conditions
- Valve problems
- Muscle damage
A guide to interpreting echocardiography
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound image of the heart’s internal structure. A normal echocardiogram displays the following results:
1. Heart size: All four heart chambers of the heart (two atria and two ventricles) are of normal size; the internal dimensions of the chambers and the volume of the chambers are of normal size.
2. Wall thickness: It indicates that the thickness of the heart's wall and septum is normal.
3. Heart valves are intact and of normal thickness, functioning properly.
4. Blood flow: It indicates that blood flows through the chambers normally and flows freely without any disturbance.
5. Ejection fraction: Is the amount of blood pumped out in each heartbeat. It is 55% to 70% in adults,
6. Abnormal structures and fluid: A normal echo will show the absence of any abnormal tissue, clot, tumour, or other abnormal fluid in the pericardium.
7. Congenital abnormalities: This helps identify problems or deformities present in the structure from birth.
Normal values for an echocardiogram
*E is the velocity of blood flow into the left ventricle during early systole, driven by the relaxation of the ventricle
e/ Is the velocity of the mitral annulus (the ring of tissue around the mitral valve) during early diastole
Some other measurements are
- Aorta
- The aortic annulus normal range is 20 to 31mm
- Ascending: normal range is 22 to 36mm
- Mitral valve
- The mitral valve area normal range is 4.0 to 6.0 cm2
- Inferior vena cava’s size: normal range is 6 to 22mm
- Heart Rate Normal resting heart rate for adults varies by age but is generally between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Conclusion
Defining abnormality relies on defining the normal, which differs according to age, gender, body type, surface, area, and other factors. Normal values serve as a baseline for comparison, allowing doctors to identify anomalies. A normal echo shows a healthy heart with normal chamber sizes, wall motion, and valve function. Normal ejection fraction is within 55 to 70%. There is no fluid around the heart, and pulmonary artery pressure is normal. There are no signs of structural defects or abnormal blood flow.
Here to answer all your questions
A positive test result means reduced blood flow in the heart. It could be because of coronary artery disease, scarring in the heart muscle, or poor physical fitness.
An abnormal result shows uneven heartbeats and problems with heart valves.
An echocardiogram (echo test) is a diagnostic procedure that assesses the structure and function of the heart using ultrasound waves. It helps diagnose various heart conditions, including valve problems, congenital heart defects, heart failure, and issues related to heart muscle function. The test provides real-time images of the heart, allowing doctors to evaluate its size, shape, and pumping efficiency.
A normal ejection fraction score is between 55% and 70%. If the ejection fraction is below 49%, it indicates the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should.
An abnormal result shows uneven heartbeats and problems with heart valves.
When we refer to the size of the heart on an echocardiogram, we are measuring the left ventricle, the primary pumping chamber of the heart. The normal range is 6 to 1.1cm. If the wall is thicker, it indicates ventricular hypertrophy.
The left ventricular internal diameter at the end of diastole is 3.5 to 5.6cm, and the normal range of left ventricular internal diameter is 2 to 4cm. If the values are larger than normal, it means the ventricle is dilated. If it is smaller, it suggests poor filling or thickened walls limiting chamber size.
