A Proactive Guide to Heart Health in New Zealand

• An echocardiogram is a safe, non-invasive ultrasound scan that creates detailed pictures of your heart.
• At CardioLabs, every scan is reviewed by a specialist cardiologist, with a report sent to your GP within 24 hours.
• Preparation is simple: wear comfortable, two-piece clothing and take your usual medications unless advised otherwise.
• We also offer expert Holter Monitoring and 24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring to provide a full picture of your heart health.
• The entire echocardiogram appointment typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes.

Receiving a referral from your doctor for a heart test can be an unsettling experience. It’s natural to feel a bit of anxiety. What does the test involve? What will they find? And how long will I have to wait for the results? We understand these concerns completely. At CardioLabs, our entire purpose is to make your experience with cardiac diagnostics as clear, comfortable, and efficient as possible.

We're a local Wellington team, and we believe that getting answers about your heart health shouldn't be a source of stress. Let's walk through what you can expect.

An echocardiogram is essentially an ultrasound of your heart. It’s a completely safe and painless diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed, moving images of your heart’s chambers, valves, walls, and major blood vessels. There is no radiation involved.

Think of it as giving your doctor a window into how your heart is beating and pumping blood. These images help them assess the size and shape of your heart, check how well the valves are working, and pinpoint any areas of the heart muscle that aren't functioning properly. In our experience, providing your doctor with these clear, accurate pictures is the first step toward peace of mind. This is why we are dedicated to our comprehensive Echocardiogram service, designed to give your GP the precise information they need to manage your health.

A referral for an echo is a very common and proactive step for a GP to take. Your doctor might recommend a scan for several reasons. They may want to investigate symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, or palpitations. Or, they might have detected a heart murmur during a routine check-up and want to understand its cause.

An echo can also be used to check the overall function of your heart, especially if you have a history of heart disease, have had a heart attack, or have conditions like high blood pressure. It’s a powerful tool for getting a baseline of your heart health and making informed decisions about your care. It’s a test, not a diagnosis, and we’re here to help you and your doctor get the information needed.

Preparing for your echocardiogram is very straightforward. You can eat and drink as you normally would before your appointment, and you should continue to take all your regular medications unless your doctor has specifically told you otherwise.

The main thing we suggest is to wear comfortable, loose-fitting, two-piece clothing. This just makes it easier to access your chest area for the scan. The entire appointment, from arrival to completion, usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes, with the scan itself lasting around 30-45 minutes. It's a simple process with no downtime, so you can get right back to your day afterwards.

Knowing what to expect can make all the difference. When you arrive at our clinic, our friendly team will welcome you and explain the process.

A trained cardiac sonographer will take you to a private room and ask you to undress from the waist up. We’ll provide you with a gown to wear for your comfort and privacy. You'll lie on a comfortable examination bed, usually on your left side. The sonographer will then apply a small amount of cool ultrasound gel to your chest. This gel helps the sound waves travel from the transducer—a small, handheld probe—to your heart.

The sonographer will gently press the transducer against your skin and move it to different positions on your chest to capture the best possible images. You might be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time. You won't feel any pain, just some light pressure. You may also hear a 'whooshing' sound, which is simply the sound of blood flowing through your heart. It’s all part of a normal scan.

From our years of experience, we know that the waiting period for test results is often the most stressful part of any medical investigation. This is a point of stress we've worked hard to eliminate for our patients and their referring doctors.

At CardioLabs ( https://www.cardiolabs.co.nz ), your scan is reviewed twice. First by the expert sonographer who performs the test, and then it is passed on for a final, formal review by a specialist cardiologist. This dual-check process ensures the highest level of diagnostic accuracy. We guarantee that your comprehensive report will be sent directly to your referring doctor within 48hours of your appointment. This rapid turnaround means you get answers faster, your doctor can create a treatment plan sooner, and you spend less time worrying.

Sometimes, an echocardiogram is just one piece of the puzzle. To get a complete picture of your heart health, your doctor might also request other tests. We provide a focused suite of services to cover the most critical diagnostic needs.

Holter Monitoring

If your symptoms, like palpitations or dizzy spells, come and go, they might not occur during the 45-minute echo appointment. This is where Holter monitoring is incredibly useful. It involves wearing a small, portable ECG device for 48 hours or 7days. It records your heart's rhythm continuously as you go about your daily life. Our Holter Monitoring service is simple to set up and provides your doctor with a wealth of information about your heart's activity over time.

24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring

A single blood pressure reading at the doctor's office doesn't always tell the whole story. Many people experience "white coat hypertension," where their blood pressure is temporarily elevated due to the stress of being in a clinical setting. To get a truly accurate assessment, we offer 24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring. A small, portable cuff takes readings at regular intervals throughout the day and night, giving your doctor a clear picture of your blood pressure patterns.

As a private cardiac diagnostics provider, we are focused on delivering accessible, high-quality care. The costs for our services can vary depending on the specific test you need. We are an Affiliated Provider for Southern Cross Health Insurance, and we recommend checking with your insurer about your policy's coverage. For any questions about pricing, our team is always happy to provide clarity.

If your GP has given you a referral for an echocardiogram or another cardiac test, you are in the right place. Our mission is to provide you and your doctor with fast, accurate, and reassuring diagnostic services. We are here to answer your questions and make the process as smooth as possible.

If you're ready to book or simply want to ask a question, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team. We look forward to helping you.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the guidance of your doctor for any medical concerns or before making any decisions related to your health.