Echocardiography

Echocardiography, also called an echo test, uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart. The heart’s movements can be seen on a video screen, and a videotape or a photograph can be made of the pictures.

An echocardiography may be performed if:

• You have a heart murmur.
• You’ve had a heart attack.
• You have unexplained chest pains.
• You’ve had rheumatic fever.
• You have a congenital heart defect.

The echocardiography will show:

• The size and shape of your heart.
• How well your heart is working overall.
• If a wall or section of heart muscle is weak and not working correctly.
• If you have problems with your heart’s valves.
• If you have a blood clot.

Sometimes the probe needs to be closer to the heart to give clearer pictures, in which case the physician may order a special test called transesophageal echocardiography.