Echocardiography with strain imaging
An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows how well the heart pumps and relaxes, the size of its chambers, how the valves work and the pressures inside. At Medcare in Bongaigaon, echo is performed and reported by Dr. Tamoghna Das, who completed a Post Graduate Fellowship in Clinical Echocardiography. Our echo system includes strain imaging, which can show early changes in heart muscle function, sometimes before symptoms appear or a standard echo shows them.
At a glance
- What it is: a painless ultrasound of the heart; no radiation, no needles
- Time: about 20 to 40 minutes
- Preparation: none; you can eat and take your medicines as usual
- Who performs it: Dr. Tamoghna Das, fellowship-trained in echocardiography, member of the Indian Academy of Echocardiography
- Standards: reports follow American Society of Echocardiography guidance
- Extra detail: left ventricle, left atrium and right ventricle strain imaging (speckle tracking)
- Results: explained to you right after the scan
What echo can show
- Pumping strength of the heart (ejection fraction)
- How well the heart relaxes and fills (diastolic function), often affected by high BP and diabetes
- Thickening of the heart muscle
- Valve narrowing or leakage
- Holes in the heart and other structural problems
- Fluid around the heart
- Raised pressure in the lungs
- Areas of muscle that move poorly after a heart attack
What strain imaging adds
A standard echo measures how much blood the heart pumps out. Strain imaging, also called speckle tracking, follows tiny patterns in the heart muscle to measure how well each part of the muscle shortens and stretches.
- LV strain (global longitudinal strain): can fall before the ejection fraction drops. Useful in diabetes, high BP, some cancer treatments and suspected early heart failure.
- LA strain: shows how the left upper chamber is coping, linked to filling pressure and rhythm problems.
- RV strain: helps assess the right side of the heart, for example in lung disease or raised lung pressure.
This lets Dr. Das spot subtle heart muscle problems early and treat the causes more firmly.
Who may need an echo
- Breathlessness, chest discomfort, swelling, palpitations or fainting
- A heart murmur heard by a doctor
- Long-standing diabetes or high BP
- Abnormal ECG
- Follow-up of heart failure, valve disease or past heart attack
- Before some surgeries or treatments, when advised
- Family history of certain heart muscle diseases
What happens during the test
- You change into a gown, open at the front, and lie on your left side on the couch.
- Small ECG stickers are placed on your chest to track your heartbeat.
- Clear gel is put on the chest, and a small probe is moved over the skin to take pictures from different angles.
- You may be asked to breathe in, hold, or turn slightly.
- The gel is wiped off and you can go back to your normal day.
A female attendant can be present on request.
After the test
Dr. Das explains the findings right after the scan, in plain words, and what they mean for your treatment. The written report is usually given the same day. If anything needs urgent attention, you are told straight away.
FAQs
Is an echo the same as a 2D echo?
Yes, in everyday use. "2D echo" refers to the two-dimensional moving pictures of the heart. A full echo also includes Doppler, which measures blood flow and pressures. At Medcare, the scan also includes strain imaging when it is useful.
Do I need to fast before an echo?
No. You can eat normally and take all your usual medicines. Wear clothes that are easy to remove from the waist up. Bring your old echo and ECG reports so changes can be compared.
Is an echo safe?
Yes. Echo uses sound waves, not X-rays or radiation. It is painless and safe for all ages, including in pregnancy. You may feel slight pressure from the probe.
What is a normal ejection fraction?
Ejection fraction is the share of blood the main pumping chamber pushes out with each beat. A value of about 55% or more is usually normal. A normal value does not always mean a normal heart, which is why relaxation and strain are also checked.
Why does strain imaging matter if my ejection fraction is normal?
The ejection fraction can stay normal while the heart muscle is already under stress, for example in diabetes or high BP. Strain imaging can pick up these early changes, giving a chance to treat the cause before the pumping strength drops.
Can an echo detect blocked arteries?
Not directly. An echo shows how the heart muscle moves, and it may show areas that are not moving well after a heart attack. Blocked arteries are usually assessed with other tests, such as a treadmill test, CT angiography or angiography. Dr. Das will advise if you need one.
Who performs the echo at Medcare?
Dr. Tamoghna Das performs and reports every echo himself. He trained in echocardiography at JROP Institute, Delhi, completing a Post Graduate Diploma and a one-year Post Graduate Fellowship in Clinical Echocardiography.
Sources
- American Society of Echocardiography, chamber quantification and diastolic function guidelines
- European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, recommendations on strain imaging
- Indian Heart Journal, 2025 (stage B heart failure study)
Related care
From the Health Library
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tamoghna Das, MBBS, MD (Medicine) · Assam Council of Medical Registration No. 20276 · Last reviewed 3 October 2026
Book a visit with Dr. Tamoghna Das
Call 60031 21297 or send a WhatsApp message. We confirm your time within 30 to 60 minutes during clinic hours.