Heart test
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses sound waves to show the heart’s structure and how well it is pumping, and is painless and radiation-free.
Quick answer
Echocardiogram: what it is and what the results mean
An echocardiogram ("echo") uses high-frequency sound waves to build moving images of the heart, showing its chambers, valves and pumping action. It is one of the most common heart tests.
- Why it is done: It is used to investigate breathlessness, murmurs, palpitations and chest pain, to assess heart failure and valve problems, and to check heart function before and after certain treatments.
- Understanding results: The scan shows how strongly the heart pumps (the ejection fraction), whether the valves open and close normally, and the size of the chambers.
What it is
An echocardiogram ("echo") uses high-frequency sound waves to build moving images of the heart, showing its chambers, valves and pumping action. It is one of the most common heart tests.
Why it is done
It is used to investigate breathlessness, murmurs, palpitations and chest pain, to assess heart failure and valve problems, and to check heart function before and after certain treatments.
What to expect
You lie on a couch while a probe with gel is moved over the chest; it is painless and takes around 30–60 minutes. Sometimes a more detailed scan is done through the gullet (a transoesophageal echo) under sedation.
Understanding the results
The scan shows how strongly the heart pumps (the ejection fraction), whether the valves open and close normally, and the size of the chambers. A specialist reports the findings to your doctor, interpreted with your symptoms.
Good to know
Risks and limitations
A standard echo through the chest is very safe with no radiation. It gives excellent information about function and valves but may be combined with other tests to build the full picture.
Education and reference only. This explains the test in general terms and is not medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions from the team arranging your test, and discuss your results with your clinician.
Answers
Echocardiogram: frequently asked questions
Is an echocardiogram the same as an ECG?
No. An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity as a tracing, while an echocardiogram is an ultrasound that shows the heart’s structure and pumping. They give different, complementary information.
Does an echocardiogram hurt?
A standard echo through the chest is painless and radiation-free. A transoesophageal echo, done through the gullet for more detail, is done under sedation and may cause a mild sore throat afterwards.
Related tests
Other heart test investigations
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Tests and treatments
- NICE — diagnostic guidance
- Royal College of Radiologists / relevant professional body
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