What type of ultrasound is mainly used for examining the heart?

The main type of ultrasound used for examining the heart is Doppler ultrasound. This technique is instrumental in assessing blood flow through the heart and its major vessels. It measures the change in frequency of ultrasound waves as they bounce off moving blood cells, providing valuable information about the speed and direction of blood flow. This capability is essential for diagnosing various cardiovascular conditions, including heart valve problems and congenital heart defects.

Doppler ultrasound is often incorporated within echocardiograms, which are specialized heart ultrasounds. While other types of ultrasounds, such as transesophageal ultrasound, can also be applied to heart examinations, Doppler is particularly critical for gauging hemodynamics and functional assessment of the cardiac structure.

Transabdominal ultrasound generally focuses on organs located in the abdomen, and pelvic ultrasound targets the reproductive organs. These types have limited applications in direct heart assessment compared to the Doppler method.