Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. This common test can show blood flow through the heart and heart valves. Your healthcare professional can use the pictures from the test to find heart disease and other heart conditions. Other names for this test are:

An echocardiogram is done to look at the heart. The test shows how blood moves through the heart chambers and heart valves. Your healthcare professional may order this test if you have chest pain or shortness of breath.

Echocardiography uses harmless sound waves, called ultrasound. The sound waves pose no known risk to the body. There is no X-ray exposure. Other risks of an echocardiogram depend on the type of test being done. If you have a standard transthoracic echocardiogram, you may feel some discomfort when the ultrasound wand pushes against your chest. The firmness is needed to create the best pictures of the heart. There may be a small risk of a reaction to the contrast dye. Some people get backaches, headaches or rashes. If a reaction occurs, it typically happens right away, while you are still in the test room. Severe allergic reactions are very rare. If you have a transesophageal echocardiogram, your throat may be sore for a few hours afterward. Rarely, the tube used for this test may scrape the inside of the throat. Other risks of a TEE include: Difficulty swallowing. Weak or scratchy voice. Spasms of the muscles in the throat or lungs. Minor bleeding in the throat area. Injury to teeth, gums or lips. Hole in the esophagus, called esophageal perforation. Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. Nausea from medicines used during the test. Medicine given during a stress echocardiogram may temporarily cause a fast or irregular heartbeat, a flushing feeling, low blood pressure or an allergic reaction. Serious complications, such as a heart attack, are rare.

How you prepare for an echocardiogram depends on the type being done. Arrange for a ride home if you're having a transesophageal echocardiogram. You can't drive after the test because you usually get medicine to relax you.

An echocardiogram is done in a medical center or a hospital. You are usually asked to remove clothing from your upper body and change into a hospital gown. When you enter the testing room, a healthcare professional attaches sticky patches to your chest. Sometimes they are placed on the legs too. The sensors, called electrodes, check your heart beat. This test is called an electrocardiogram. It's more commonly called an ECG or EKG. What to expect during the echocardiogram test depends on the specific type of echocardiogram being done.