Echocardiogram

Using sound waves to see inside the heart

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves, called ultrasound, to create images of your heart. These images are more detailed than a standard X-ray, and there’s no radiation involved in the test.

We have one of the most advanced cardiac imaging programs in the region, and we’re able to perform 3-D interventional echocardiography, an advanced form of transesophageal echocardiography that gives our doctors better views of the heart.

Our Echocardiography Core Lab, part of our Cardiovascular Core Laboratories, provides internationally recognized expertise in interpreting and analyzing the results of these tests. We review hundreds of tests each month from patients throughout the region, which lets us quickly detect problems for the most accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor may recommend an echocardiogram, also known as an echo, for a number of reasons. Echocardiograms let us see the size and shape of your heart, as well as how well the heart’s chambers, blood vessels and valves work. We also can detect problems with the heart’s structure, including any abnormal holes between the heart’s chambers or issues with the heart’s outer lining.

The standard form of echocardiography also is known as a transthoracic echocardiogram. We also offer several types of echocardiograms, including stress echocardiography (done during exercise) and transesophageal echocardiography (done with a probe carefully guided down the throat).

What to expect from an echocardiogram

You’ll undress from the waist up and lie on a bed or table. A technician will place patches called electrodes on your body so we can monitor your heartbeat during the test. The technician will rub gel on the area to be tested and will press a device called a transducer against your chest. The transducer creates sound waves and picks them up as they bounce back from your heart.

The technician will move the transducer over your chest. You may need to hold still, breathe slowly, hold your breath or roll to your side to help us get the images we need. The test usually takes less than an hour.

Once your echocardiogram is done, the technician will wipe off the gel and remove the electrodes. You should be able to go back to your normal activities after the test. A standard echocardiogram has no side effects or risks. Afterward, your doctor will review the results and discuss with you what the images showed.

Treatments