Your Health - Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram

(Echo; Heart Ultrasound; Ultrasound of the Heart)

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

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 view depending on what part of the heart needs to be looked at.
- Also, 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 congenital defects
Test blood flow through the heart
Assess heart or major blood vessel damage caused by trauma
Test heart function and diagnose heart and lungs problems in very ill patients
Assess chest pain
Look for blood clots within heart chambers

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. The technician presses a small, hand-held device (called a transducer) 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.

The technician can capture a still image, or videotape moving images. To get clearer and more complete images, the technician may move the transducer 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 by a specialist. Based on the findings, your doctor will 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.americanheart.org/

American Society of Echocardiography
http://asecho.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/

Heart Healthy Kit: Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/

References:

Echocardiography. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/echo/echo_whatis.html. Updated March 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.

Heart damage detection. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org. Accessed July 28, 2008.

Huttemann E. Transoesophageal echocardiography in critical care. Minerva Anestesiol. 2006;72:891-913.

Medical encyclopedia: echocardiogram. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003869.htm. Updated April 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.

The most common heart ultrasound: transthoracic echocardiogram. American Society of Echocardiography website. Available at: http://www.seemyheart.org/tte.php. Updated April 2007. Accessed July 28, 2008.

Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.rsna.org/. Accessed July 28, 2008.

Sanderson JE, Chan WW. Transoesophageal echocardiography. Postgrad Med J. 1997;73:137-140.

Last reviewed September 2009 by Michael J. Fucci, DO and Brian P. Randall, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.