Echocardiogram (Echocardiography)

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound image of the heart. It is a non-invasive medical procedure that does not emit radiation and typically does not cause side effects. A doctor uses an echocardiogram to diagnose heart problems, such as damaged heart tissue, enlarged heart chambers, thickened heart muscle, blood clots in the heart, fluid around the heart, and malfunctioning or damaged heart valves. During the examination, the doctor can assess issues or abnormalities such as:

The size and thickness of the heart chambers
How the heart valves are functioning
The direction of blood flow in the heart
Any blood clots in the heart
Areas of weak or damaged heart muscle tissue
Problems affecting the pericardium – the fluid-filled sac around the heart
Causes contributing to stroke
Doctors also use echocardiography to evaluate a person's overall heart health, especially after a heart attack or stroke.

How is the test performed?

Echocardiography procedures are non-invasive and relatively quick, requiring minimal preparation. For an external echocardiogram, no special preparation is needed from the part of the patient. However, for a transesophageal echocardiogram, the doctor will advise refraining from eating or drinking for at least 6 hours before the procedure. Eating and drinking can typically resume 1-2 hours after the test, once the local anesthesia has worn off.

During the examination:

echocardiogram, the patient lies on their left side while the doctor applies a gel to the chest. The doctor then moves the transducer around the chest to capture various images of the heart. During the exam, the doctor may ask the patient to change positions, breathe, or briefly hold their breath. The test usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes. After the examination, patients can resume their normal activities.