Is your doctor snap-happy? Physicians order too many echocardiograms, or ultrasound pictures of the heart, says a new study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Researchers found that of 500 patients who had the test, which is used to diagnose heart defects, less than one third changed their treatment plans afterward. This suggests that the test provided no new information, says study coauthor Sandeep R. Das, M.D.
Echocardiograms have few physical risks, explains Jerald Insel, M.D., chief of cardiology at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. And that could be why docs over-order them.
The problem: The tests are expensive—much pricier than an EKG or an exercise stress test—and a minor abnormality in your heart’s structure (that may never cause problems) could unnecessarily freak you out or lead to unneeded follow-up tests. On the other hand, a normal result could provide false reassurance, since heart problems can always develop later on, says Dr. Das.
If your doc wants to order an echocardiogram, first ask why, advises Dr. Das. Sign up for these reasons: To identify the cause of heart symptoms like an irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath; if you have high blood pressure; or if you a family history of heart disease (to check for heart muscle damage), Dr. Insel says.
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