Overview
An echocardiogram, often called an echo, is a common test that uses ultrasound to create moving pictures of the heart. It can show the size and shape of the heart, how the chambers and valves are working, and how blood moves through the heart. The test is often used to help diagnose or monitor heart conditions.
Key Symptoms
An echocardiogram is not a symptom itself, but it may be ordered when someone has chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, palpitations, swelling in the legs, or a heart murmur. It may also be used after a heart attack, stroke, infection, or during follow-up for a known heart condition. Some people have an echocardiogram even when they have no symptoms, such as before surgery or to monitor an existing problem.
Who Is Affected
People of any age may need an echocardiogram, including babies, children, adults, and older people. It is commonly used in people with suspected heart disease, high blood pressure, valve disease, heart failure, congenital heart conditions, or unexplained symptoms. Pregnant people or athletes may also have an echo in some situations if a clinician needs more information about heart function.
Diagnosis and Tests
The most common type is a transthoracic echocardiogram, where a probe is moved over the chest with gel on the skin. Other types include Doppler echocardiography to assess blood flow, stress echocardiography during exercise or after medicine that makes the heart work harder, and transesophageal echocardiography, where a small probe is passed into the food pipe to get clearer images. Results are interpreted by trained healthcare professionals along with symptoms, examination, and other tests.
Treatment Categories
An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test, not a treatment. However, the results can help guide next steps, such as more testing, monitoring over time, medicines, procedures, or surgery depending on the heart problem found. The plan depends on the person’s overall health and the reason the test was done.
Living With It
Many people have only mild discomfort or no discomfort during a standard chest echocardiogram. A transesophageal echocardiogram may involve fasting beforehand and a recovery period after sedation, so someone may need support getting home. If you have repeat echocardiograms, keeping copies of reports and knowing why the test is being repeated can help you follow your care.
When to Seek Medical Care
Ask a healthcare professional about an echocardiogram if you have symptoms that could suggest a heart problem, or if you have been told you have a murmur or another abnormal heart finding. Seek medical advice if you have questions about how to prepare, what type of echo is planned, or what your results mean. Contact your care team promptly if symptoms worsen while you are waiting for testing.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help right away for severe chest pain, severe trouble breathing, fainting, new confusion, blue lips, or signs of stroke such as sudden weakness, facial droop, or trouble speaking. These symptoms need emergency assessment and should not wait for a routine echocardiogram appointment. In emergency settings, an echocardiogram may be used quickly to help doctors assess the heart.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask why the echocardiogram is being recommended, which type you are having, and whether you need to prepare in any special way. It can also help to ask when and how you will get the results, and whether you may need follow-up testing. If a transesophageal or stress echocardiogram is planned, ask about possible risks, recovery, and whether you will need someone to accompany you.