Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram gives your specialist a moving picture of your heart. Using ultrasound, it can show how your heart is pumping and how blood moves through its chambers and valves.

The scan is done from outside your body and doesn’t use radiation. It can help investigate symptoms, look for changes in your heart or monitor a condition that’s already been diagnosed.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, sometimes called an echo or heart ultrasound, uses sound waves to create moving images of your heart.

A small handheld device called a transducer sends sound waves through your chest. These bounce back from different parts of your heart and are turned into images on a screen.

A standard echocardiogram is non-invasive, which means nothing is inserted into your body. It’s different from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical signals that control your heartbeat rather than creating pictures of the heart itself.

What can an echocardiogram show?

An echocardiogram lets your specialist look at your heart while it’s beating. It can provide information about:

• The size and shape of your heart
• How well your heart muscle is pumping
• The movement of the walls of your heart
• How your heart valves are opening and closing
• The direction and speed of blood flowing through your heart
• Any changes in the structure of your heart

These findings can help identify changes in the heart muscle or valves and show how well the different parts of your heart are working. An echo can also be repeated over time to see if a heart condition has changed.

Why might I need an echocardiogram?

You may be referred for an echocardiogram if your symptoms or another test suggest that your heart needs a closer look.

For example, an echo may be used if you have breathlessness, a heart murmur (an unusual sound heard between heartbeats) or signs of a condition affecting the heart valves. It can also form part of the assessment for cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thickened or weakened.

Your specialist may also recommend one to check how well your heart is pumping if heart failure is suspected or to monitor an existing heart condition.

Preparing for an echocardiogram

There’s usually no special preparation needed for a standard echocardiogram. You can normally eat and drink as usual and continue taking your medicines unless you’ve been given different instructions.

You’ll need to remove clothing from the upper half of your body for the scan, so you may find a two-piece outfit more convenient. A gown will be available for you to wear.

If you’ve previously had heart scans or other heart tests, let the team know before your appointment.

What happens during an echocardiogram?

You’ll usually lie on your back or left side on an examination bed. Small sticky pads called electrodes may be placed on your chest to keep track of your heart rhythm while the images are taken.

Ultrasound gel is applied to your skin before the transducer is moved across different areas of your chest. Gentle pressure helps the sound waves reach your heart so the images are clearer.

You may be asked to change position, breathe in a certain way or briefly hold your breath. You might also hear swishing sounds from the machine as it measures blood moving through your heart.

The test is usually painless, although you may notice some pressure where the transducer is pressed against your chest. Let the person carrying out the scan know if anything feels uncomfortable.

Recovering from an echocardiogram

A standard echocardiogram doesn’t usually need any recovery time. Once the scan is finished, the gel and electrodes can be removed, and you can get dressed.

The images and measurements from your scan will be reviewed alongside your symptoms and any other heart tests you’ve had.

Risks of an echocardiogram

A standard echocardiogram is considered very safe. It uses ultrasound rather than X-rays, so you aren’t exposed to radiation.

You may feel some pressure as the transducer moves across your chest, particularly if an area is already tender, but the test shouldn’t be painful. Tell the person carrying out your scan if you feel uncomfortable at any point.

Book a private echocardiogram with Complete Health Australia

An echocardiogram can provide detailed information about how your heart is built and how well it’s working. At Complete Health Australia, our cardiology team uses heart imaging alongside other tests to investigate heart symptoms and help reach a clear diagnosis.

Book an appointment