Cardiac Echocardiography in New Braunfels

Advanced Heart Ultrasound for Accurate Diagnosis and Personalized Cardiac Care

Your heart works around the clock to keep your body healthy, pumping oxygen-rich blood to every organ and tissue. When something affects the heart’s ability to function properly, early diagnosis is critical. One of the safest, most effective, and most commonly used diagnostic tools in cardiology is Cardiac Echocardiography, also known as an echocardiogram.

At Cardiology First, Dr. Van Adamson uses advanced cardiac echocardiography to evaluate the structure and function of your heart with remarkable accuracy. This non-invasive ultrasound examination provides real-time images that help diagnose heart disease, evaluate symptoms, monitor existing conditions, and guide personalized treatment plans.

Whether you’re experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, fatigue, or have been referred for a routine cardiac evaluation, Cardiology First provides compassionate, patient-centered cardiovascular care using today’s most advanced diagnostic technology.

We proudly serve patients throughout New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, Garden Ridge, Selma, Universal City, and surrounding South Texas communities.

What Is Cardiac Echocardiography?

Cardiac Echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound examination that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed, moving images of your heart.

Unlike X-rays or CT scans, an echocardiogram does not use radiation. Instead, a handheld device called a transducer sends harmless sound waves into the body. These sound waves bounce off the heart and return to the transducer, creating live images on a monitor.

This allows Dr. Adamson to evaluate your heart as it beats, providing valuable information about its structure, strength, and function.

An echocardiogram is painless, safe, and one of the most important diagnostic tools available in modern cardiology.

Why Would I Need an Echocardiogram?

Your physician may recommend an echocardiogram for many different reasons.

Cardiac Echocardiography is commonly performed to:

• Evaluate chest pain
• Investigate shortness of breath
• Diagnose heart murmurs
• Assess heart valve disorders
• Monitor heart failure
• Measure heart pumping function
• Evaluate enlarged heart chambers
• Detect congenital heart defects
• Assess damage after a heart attack
• Monitor cardiomyopathy
• Evaluate atrial fibrillation
• Investigate swelling in the legs
• Monitor treatment progress

Because echocardiography provides detailed images of the heart in motion, it often reveals abnormalities that cannot be detected through a physical examination alone.

What Can an Echocardiogram Diagnose?

An echocardiogram helps diagnose a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions.

These include:

Heart Valve Disease

The heart contains four valves that regulate blood flow.

An echocardiogram helps identify:

• Valve narrowing (stenosis)
• Valve leakage (regurgitation)
• Valve prolapse
• Valve infections

Understanding valve function helps determine whether medication, monitoring, or additional treatment is necessary.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently.

An echocardiogram measures:

• Pumping strength
• Chamber size
• Blood flow
• Fluid accumulation

These measurements help physicians determine the severity of heart failure and monitor treatment effectiveness.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases affecting the heart muscle.

Echocardiography evaluates:

• Thickened heart muscle
• Enlarged chambers
• Weakened pumping function
• Structural abnormalities

Early diagnosis often improves long-term outcomes.

Congenital Heart Disease

Some heart abnormalities are present at birth but may not be diagnosed until adulthood.

An echocardiogram can detect:

• Septal defects
• Structural abnormalities
• Abnormal blood flow patterns

Pericardial Disease

The pericardium is the protective sac surrounding the heart.

Echocardiography identifies:

• Fluid around the heart
• Inflammation
• Thickening of the pericardium

Pulmonary Hypertension

Elevated pressure within the lungs’ blood vessels can place additional strain on the heart.

An echocardiogram helps estimate pulmonary artery pressure and evaluate its effects on heart function.

Symptoms That May Require an Echocardiogram

Dr. Van Adamson may recommend cardiac ultrasound if you experience:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in the legs
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• High blood pressure
• Heart murmur
• Irregular heartbeat
• Decreased exercise tolerance

Patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease may also benefit from cardiac imaging.

What Happens During an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is performed in a comfortable outpatient setting and usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

During your examination:

• You’ll lie comfortably on an examination table.
• Small electrodes may be placed on your chest to monitor your heartbeat.
• A technician applies warm ultrasound gel.
• A handheld transducer is gently moved across your chest.
• Real-time images of your heart appear on a monitor.

The examination is painless and requires no needles, incisions, or recovery time.

Is an Echocardiogram Safe?

Yes.

Cardiac Echocardiography is considered one of the safest diagnostic procedures available.

Because ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation, it is:

• Non-invasive
• Radiation-free
• Painless
• Safe for repeated use
• Appropriate for patients of all ages

Most patients return to their normal daily activities immediately after the examination.

Understanding Your Echocardiogram Results

Following your study, Dr. Adamson carefully reviews every image to evaluate the overall health of your heart.

Your results may provide information about:

• Heart size
• Pumping strength (Ejection Fraction)
• Valve function
• Blood flow
• Chamber size
• Heart muscle thickness
• Structural abnormalities
• Congenital defects
• Fluid around the heart

Rather than simply reviewing numbers, Dr. Adamson explains what your results mean and how they relate to your symptoms and long-term health.

Personalized Treatment Based on Your Results

If your echocardiogram identifies a cardiovascular condition, Dr. Adamson develops an individualized treatment plan designed specifically for you.

Treatment may include:

Medication Management

Prescription medications may help:

• Lower blood pressure
• Improve heart function
• Reduce fluid retention
• Manage abnormal heart rhythms
• Lower cholesterol

Lifestyle Recommendations

Heart-healthy habits remain one of the most effective ways to improve cardiovascular wellness.

Recommendations often include:

• Regular exercise
• Weight management
• Healthy nutrition
• Smoking cessation
• Blood pressure control
• Diabetes management
• Stress reduction

Additional Diagnostic Testing

If necessary, Dr. Adamson may recommend:

• Nuclear Stress Testing
• Cardiovascular CT
• Holter Monitoring
• Event Monitoring
• Transesophageal Echocardiography
• Implantable Loop Recorder evaluation

These tests provide additional information when more detailed evaluation is needed.

Why Regular Follow-Up Matters

Many heart conditions require ongoing monitoring rather than one-time treatment.

Routine follow-up appointments allow Dr. Adamson to:

• Monitor disease progression
• Evaluate medication effectiveness
• Repeat imaging when necessary
• Detect changes early
• Prevent complications
• Keep your treatment plan up to date

Long-term relationships between patients and their cardiologist often lead to better health outcomes and greater peace of mind.

Why Patients Choose Cardiology First

At Cardiology First, we believe advanced technology should always be paired with compassionate care.

Patients choose Dr. Van Adamson because he takes the time to understand their concerns, explain their diagnosis, and create personalized treatment plans focused on lifelong cardiovascular health.

Our practice offers:

• Advanced cardiac imaging
• Comprehensive cardiovascular evaluations
• Individualized treatment plans
• Preventive cardiology
• Evidence-based medicine
• Long-term follow-up care
• Patient education
• Compassionate, relationship-centered healthcare

Our goal is not simply to diagnose heart disease—but to help patients live healthier, more active lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an echocardiogram painful?

No. Cardiac Echocardiography is completely painless and does not involve needles or radiation.

How long does the test take?

Most echocardiograms take 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Do I need to prepare?

Most routine echocardiograms require little or no preparation. Our office will provide specific instructions if any preparation is needed.

Will I receive my results immediately?

Dr. Adamson carefully reviews your images and discusses your results, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations during your follow-up visit.

Can an echocardiogram detect blocked arteries?

An echocardiogram evaluates heart function, valve performance, and blood flow but does not directly visualize coronary artery blockages. Additional testing such as a Nuclear Stress Test or Cardiac CT may be recommended when coronary artery disease is suspected.

Schedule Your Cardiac Echocardiogram in New Braunfels

Whether you’re experiencing symptoms, monitoring an existing heart condition, or taking a proactive approach to your cardiovascular health, Cardiac Echocardiography provides valuable information about your heart’s structure and function.

At Cardiology First, Dr. Van Adamson combines advanced diagnostic technology with compassionate, personalized care to help patients receive accurate diagnoses and comprehensive treatment plans.

Our mission is to protect your heart through early detection, preventive care, and long-term cardiovascular wellness.

Contact Cardiology First Today

Dr. Van Adamson, MD
Cardiology First

📞 Phone: (210) 767-2549

🌐 Website: www.CardiologyFirstClinic.com

Proudly serving patients throughout New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, Garden Ridge, Selma, Universal City, and surrounding South Texas communities with advanced cardiac imaging and comprehensive cardiovascular care. Schedule your appointment today and take the next step toward a healthier heart.