Echo Cardiogram

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This common test allows your doctor to see your heart beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify heart disease.

Depending on what information your doctor needs, you may have one of several types of echocardiograms. Each type of echocardiogram involves few, if any, risks.

Why it's done

Your doctor may suggest an echocardiogram to:

• Check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart
• Check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain
• Detect congenital heart defects before birth (fetal echocardiogram)

Why is an echocardiogram performed?

• Assess the overall function of your heart
• Determine the presence of many types of heart disease, such as valve disease, myocardial disease, pericardial disease, infective endocarditis, cardiac masses and congenital heart disease
• Follow the progress of valve disease over time
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your medical or surgical treatments