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Heart Ultrasound

Heart Ultrasound Near Craigieburn | Northside Imaging Mickleham

Searching for a heart ultrasound near Craigieburn? Northside Imaging in Mickleham offers heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) scans just minutes from Craigieburn, with bulk billing available for Medicare eligible patients and fast results sent straight to your doctor.

Book Your Heart Ultrasound Online or call (03) 8658 7151

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What Can a Heart Ultrasound Check?

A heart ultrasound, medically known as an echocardiogram, is a non-invasive scan that uses sound waves to create real time, moving images of the heart. It shows how the heart’s chambers, valves and muscles are working, and how well blood is flowing through it.

Unlike an ECG, which tracks the heart’s electrical signals, a heart ultrasound shows its physical structure and function. It involves no radiation and no needles, and most scans are completed in under an hour. Heart ultrasound helps in detection of issues like:

Heart Valve Problems

The heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. A heart ultrasound shows whether a valve is leaking (regurgitation), narrowed (stenosis), or not closing properly. This is one of the most common reasons a GP orders the scan, especially if a heart murmur has been picked up during a check-up.

Heart Muscle Problems

The scan measures the thickness and movement of the heart muscle walls. This can reveal conditions like cardiomyopathy (an enlarged or thickened heart muscle), areas of muscle damaged by a previous heart attack, or muscle that isn’t contracting as strongly as it should.

Signs of Heart Failure

Heart failure means the heart isn’t pumping blood as efficiently as the body needs. It doesn’t mean the heart has stopped. A heart ultrasound helps identify the underlying cause (such as weakened muscle or valve disease) and is often used to monitor how a diagnosed condition is progressing over time.

Congenital Heart Abnormalities

Some structural heart differences are present from birth, such as a hole between heart chambers or an abnormally formed valve. A heart ultrasound can detect these abnormalities in children and adults, including cases that weren’t picked up until later in life.

Fluid Buildup Around the Heart

Fluid can sometimes collect in the sac surrounding the heart (pericardial effusion), which may be linked to infection, inflammation, or other underlying conditions. A heart ultrasound is one of the most reliable ways to detect and measure this fluid buildup.

Pumping Efficiency (Ejection Fraction)

Ejection fraction is a measurement of how much blood the heart pumps out with each beat, expressed as a percentage. It’s one of the key numbers doctors use to assess overall heart function, track the progress of a diagnosed condition, or decide whether a treatment is working.

Why Craigieburn Patients Choose Northside Imaging

Craigieburn residents do not need to drive into the city for cardiac imaging. Northside Imaging’s Mickleham clinic sits just north of Craigieburn, giving local patients a genuine, nearby option for heart ultrasound scans.

What makes it a strong choice for Craigieburn patients:

Bulk Billing

Most scans are bulk billed where Medicare eligibility applies, reducing out-of-pocket costs.

Fast Turnaround

Reports are generally sent to your referring doctor within 24 to 48 hours.

State of Art Equipment

Up-to-date ultrasound technology for clear, reliable results.

Free parking

Convenient parking right in front of the clinic.

Accessible hours

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 1pm.

Whether your GP has requested a routine check or your cardiologist needs a follow-up scan to monitor an existing condition, the Mickleham clinic is set up to make the experience straightforward for people living around Craigieburn.

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What Happens During a Heart Ultrasound Appointment

Bring a referral

A valid referral from your GP or cardiologist is required for Medicare rebate eligibility.

Check-in

Arrive a few minutes early with your referral and Medicare card.

The scan

You will lie on an exam table while a sonographer moves a small probe across your chest, using a small amount of gel to transmit the sound waves.

Minimal preparation

Most heart ultrasounds do not require fasting or special prep, but the clinic can confirm any specific instructions when you book.

Results

Your images and report are sent directly to your referring doctor, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

The scan is generally comfortable and stress-free, with no radiation exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a heart ultrasound detect blocked arteries?
Not directly. A heart ultrasound shows the heart’s structure, valve function, and pumping strength, but it doesn’t image the coronary arteries themselves. If a doctor suspects blocked or narrowed arteries, they’ll typically order a CT coronary angiogram or stress test instead, Northside Imaging offers Cardiac CT for exactly this reason. It’s a common mix-up, so if you’re not sure which scan you need, mention your symptoms to reception and they can confirm you’ve been referred for the right test.
No. Unlike some other scans, a standard heart ultrasound doesn’t require fasting. You can eat, drink, and take your normal medications beforehand. If your doctor has ordered a stress echo or a combined test, there may be specific instructions, so it’s worth confirming when you book.
Doctors commonly order a heart ultrasound for unexplained breathlessness, chest pain, heart palpitations, ankle swelling, fatigue, or if they’ve picked up a heart murmur during a check-up. It’s also used to monitor known conditions like valve disease or heart failure over time, and to check heart function before some surgeries or chemotherapy treatments.
You can be scanned without a referral, but you won’t be eligible for a Medicare rebate and will need to pay the full private fee. For rebate eligibility, a referral from a GP, cardiologist, or specialist is required. If you’re unsure whether your existing referral is valid, call the clinic and they can check before you book.
Yes. A heart ultrasound uses sound waves rather than radiation, so it’s considered safe during pregnancy. It’s sometimes used to check a mother’s heart function or, in specialised cases, to look at a baby’s heart (fetal echocardiogram) if a concern has been flagged during a routine pregnancy scan.

Book Your Heart Ultrasound Today

Northside Imaging makes quality cardiac ultrasound easily accessible for Craigieburn residents, with bulk billing, fast reporting and a comfortable, modern facility close to home.
(03) 8658 7151