Echo
Echocardiography to see how your heart's chambers and valves are working.
Echocardiography to see how your heart's chambers and valves are working.
An echocardiogram, or echo, is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows how well your heart is pumping and how its chambers and valves are working. It is painless and uses no radiation.
You lie on your left side and a small probe with gel is moved over your chest. The scan usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. You can eat, drink and go back to normal activities straight after.
No special preparation is needed for a standard echo. Wear a top that is easy to remove and bring any previous heart reports.
Yes. It uses sound waves, not X-rays, so it is safe for everyone, including during pregnancy.
An ECG records the heart's electrical activity and rhythm. An echo is an ultrasound picture of the heart's structure and pumping. Your doctor may ask for one or both.
