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Echocardiogram by Editorial Staff and Contributors

En Español (Spanish Version)

Definition | Reasons for Test | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

An echocardiogram uses sound waves called ultrasound to look at the size, shape, and motion of the heart.

The test shows:

Four chambers of the heart
Heart valves and the walls of the heart
Blood vessels entering and leaving the heart
The sac that surrounds the heart

The Heart Sac

In addition to this standard test, there are specialized echocardiograms:

Contrast echocardiogram—A solution is injected into the vein and can be seen in the heart.
Stress echocardiogram—This records the heart's activity during a cardiac stress test.
Echocardiogram with Doppler ultrasound—This helps your doctor assess blood flow.
Transesophageal echocardiogram—To provide clear images of the heart, the ultrasound device is put down your throat. Your doctor may need to use this test depending on what part of the heart needs to be viewed. If you have the following conditions, you may need this test, rather than the standard echocardiogram:
- Certain lung diseases
- Obesity

Reasons for Test

An echocardiogram may be used to:

Evaluate a heart murmur
Diagnose valve conditions
Find changes in the heart's structure
Assess motion of the chamber walls and damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack
Assess how different parts of the heart work in people with chronic heart disease
Determine if fluid is collecting around the heart
Identify growths in the heart
Assess and monitor birth defects
Test blood flow through the heart
Assess heart or major blood vessel damage caused by trauma
Test heart function and diagnose heart and lung problems in very ill patients
Assess chest pain
Look for blood clots within heart chambers

Possible Complications

There are no major complications associated with this test.

What to Expect

Prior to Test

Your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle

Description of Test

A gel is put on your chest. This gel helps the sound waves travel. A small, hand-held device called a transducer is pressed against your skin. The transducer sends sound waves toward your heart. The sound waves are then reflected back to the device. The waves are converted into electrical impulses. These impulses become an image on the screen.

Still images or videotape moving images can be captured. To get clearer and more complete images, the transducer may be moved to different areas of your chest. You may be asked to change positions and slowly inhale, exhale, or hold your breath.

After Test

The gel is wiped from your chest.

How Long Will It Take?

30-60 minutes

Will It Hurt?

Results

The images are analyzed. Based on the findings, your doctor may recommend treatment or further testing.

Call Your Doctor

After the test, call your doctor if you have worsening heart-related symptoms.

RESOURCES:

American Heart Association http://www.heart.org
American Society of Echocardiography http://asecho.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

References:

Huttemann E. Transoesophageal echocardiography in critical care. Minerva Anestesiol. 2006;72:891-913.
Sanderson JE, Chan WW. Transoesophageal echocardiography. Postgrad Med J. 1997;73:137-140.
What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/echo/echo_whatis.html. Updated October 31, 2011. Accessed March 5, 2013.
Who needs echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/whoneeds.html. Updated October 31, 2011. Accessed March 5, 2013.

Last reviewed September 2012 by Michael J. Fucci, DO

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