Strain Imaging is a specialized type of heart ultrasound that we use to look at how the patient’s heart muscle is functioning. It helps us see how well different parts of the heart are working by measuring how much the heart muscle stretches and contracts with each heartbeat. This is important because it can detect problems with the heart’s function even before other symptoms or signs appear.

When the patient comes in for the test, they’ll be taken to an exam room where the procedure will take place. The patient will need to remove their shirt so we can access the chest, but we’ll keep them comfortable with a gown or blanket.
There’s no special preparation needed for Strain Imaging, and the procedure is completely non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t involve any needles or anything painful.
We’ll apply a small amount of warm gel on the patient’s chest. This gel helps the ultrasound probe make good contact with the skin and ensures that we get clear, accurate images of the heart.
The technician or doctor will use an ultrasound probe to take images of the patient’s heart, similar to a regular echocardiogram. However, Strain Imaging focuses on measuring the movement and deformation (or “strain”) of the heart muscle as it contracts and relaxes.
The probe will be moved around on the patient’s chest to capture images from different angles, and the patient’s might be asked to change positions or take deep breaths to help get the best possible images.
The entire process is painless and usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Strain Imaging allows us to measure how different parts of the heart muscle are stretching and contracting with each heartbeat. This can show us if certain areas of the heart are not working as well as they should be, even if the overall heart function looks normal on a regular echocardiogram.
This test is particularly useful for detecting early signs of heart muscle problems, such as those caused by conditions like cardiomyopathy or damage from chemotherapy.
Once the test is finished, we’ll clean off the gel, and the patient’s can get dressed. There are no side effects from the test, so they can return to their normal activities right away.
The data from the Strain Imaging will be analyzed by a specialist, and we’ll discuss the results with you afterward, explaining what they mean for the patient’s heart health.
Strain Imaging gives us a very detailed look at how well the patient’s heart muscle is functioning. It helps us detect problems that might not be visible with other types of imaging, allowing us to diagnose and treat issues early.
It’s a safe and painless procedure that provides us with valuable information about the patient’s heart function. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable throughout the test, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have.”