Echocardiography
An echocardiogram (ECHO) uses ultrasound to capture images of your heart while it beats. This is the same non-invasive ultrasound technology used to check the health of a baby during pregnancy.
An echocardiogram is used to assess the anatomical function of your heart; valves, chambers, size and shape of the heart, pumping capacity, how the heart relaxes, blood flow in the heart (Eg. leaky valves) location and extent of cardiac disease.
Health info & tips
- Check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart.
- Determine if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain.
- Detect other heart diseases.
- Help with cardiac management and follow up management of patients with any suspected or known heart diseases.
- No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink and take medications as you normally would.
- Wear a loose fitting shirt. The sonographer will provide you with a gown to change into.
- You’ll undress from the waist up and lie down on an examination bed.
- The technician (sonographer) will attach stickers (called electrodes) to your chest to record your heart rhythm. Gel will be applied to your chest to capture the images using a device called a transducer. The transducer emits and records the returning sound waves. A computer converts the returning sound wave (echos) into detailed moving images of your heart. These are the images that are viewed by the doctor that reads your echocardiogram.
- You may feel some discomfort from the transducer against your chest as the sonographer may need to apply some mild pressure to obtain the best images of your heart.
- The sonographer may guide you to breath in and out at certain times and may ask you to roll onto your left side.
- It takes about 45 minutes to complete the test.
- Your echocardiography will be kept on file for comparison with future echocardiography tests.
- For patients with difficult studies, a patient may need a contrast echocardiogram (which requires an IV).
- People can resume their normal daily activities, including driving, after an echocardiogram.
- Your echocardiogram will be reviewed and the results will be reported to your doctor. If necessary, you may be referred for additional testing or a consultation with a physician.
Follow us on social media
Follow us on our social media for regular updates & important resources.