An echocardiogram test provides information about the structure and function of the heart.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound scan of the heart. Ultrasound is a very high-frequency sound that you cannot hear, but it can be emitted and detected by special machines. The scan can give accurate pictures of the heart muscle, the heart chambers, and structures within the heart such as the valves.

Why is an echocardiogram done?

An echo can be carried out for many different reasons. It may be done to check how well your heart is working e.g. after a heart attack, or to monitor how well the valves are functioning. An echo can also help to see any fluid that may have collected around the heart.

What happens during the test?

You will need to undress to the waist and lie on the couch. A probe is placed on your chest and lubricating jelly is put on your chest so the probe makes good contact with the skin. The probe is connected by a wire to the ultrasound machine and monitor. Pulses of ultrasound are sent from the probe through the skin towards your heart. The ultrasound waves then bounce backfrom the heart and various structures in the heart.

The amount of ultrasound that echoes back depends on the density of the tissue the sound has hit. Therefore, the different structures send back different echoes. For example, ultrasound travels freely through fluid so there is little echo from blood in heart chambers. But, heart valves are dense tissues so ultrasound hitting a valve will echo back clearly. These echoes are displayed as a picture on the monitor and the picture is constantly updated so the scan can show movement as well as structure.

The test is painless and takes about 15-30 minutes. You may have to turn on to your side during the test so that the operator can scan the heart from different angles.

You do not need any special preparation before the test. You eat and drink normally before and after the test.