An echocardiogram, also called an echo or a diagnostic cardio ultrasound, uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. It is a non-invasive test, meaning that no instruments are inserted into your body. During the test, a specially trained technologist moves a small device, called a transducer, across your chest to take pictures of your heart.
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of heart disease and other heart problems, including:. Laying on your side or back, the technologist will apply a special gel to help move the transducer across your chest. The technologist will move the transducer back and forth, sometimes pressing firmly.
Sound waves will be transmitted through the transducer to your heart, creating pictures. An echocardiogram is usually recommended to patients who experience chest pain and tightness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and other related symptoms. It provides critical information needed by a physician to make a clinical diagnosis of your condition.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat. Often due to poor blood circulation, it increases the risk of blood clots forming in the heart chambers and even heart failure. It can also reveal if you have had a heart attack in the past. Cardiovascular diseases are often a result of high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which causes blood vessels to narrow and eventually lead to damaged heart muscles.
A known complication of cardiovascular disease is myocardial infarction heart attack and stroke. If any of the four heart valves are not opening or closing properly, it may be a sign of heart valve disease, which can affect blood flow to your heart. Symptoms of heart valve disease are chest pain, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy HCM is a disease of the heart muscles that cause the walls of the heart to thicken. This obstruction can cause blood flow to decrease, which causes the heart to work much harder to pump blood.
No special preparations are necessary for a standard transthoracic echocardiogram. You can eat, drink and take medications as you normally would. If you're having a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will ask you not to eat for several hours beforehand. If you're having a transesophageal echocardiogram, you won't be able to drive afterward because of the medication you'll likely receive.
Be sure to arrange for a ride home. Most echocardiograms take less than an hour. If you have a transesophageal echocardiogram, you may be watched for a few hours at the doctor's office or hospital after the test. If your echocardiogram is normal, no further testing may be needed. If the results are concerning, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions cardiologist for more tests. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.
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Overview Echocardiogram Open pop-up dialog box Close. Echocardiogram An echocardiogram checks how your heart's chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Bonow RO, et al.
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