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Echocardiography

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What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This common test allows your provider to see your heart beating and pumping blood. The images from an echocardiogram can be used to identify heart disease.

There are several types of echocardiogram to be used depending on your specific needs. Each type involves few, if any, risks.

Your provider may suggest an echocardiogram to check for problems, withthe valves or chambers of your heart, or to check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain.

Transthoracic echocardiogram

In this standard type of echocardiogram:

Transesophageal echocardiogram

If your doctor wants more-detailed images or it’s difficult to get a clear picture of your heart with a standard echocardiogram, your doctor may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram.

In this procedure:

Doppler echocardiogram

Sound waves change pitch when they bounce off blood cells moving through your heart and blood vessels. These changes (Doppler signals) can help your doctor measure the speed and direction of the blood flow in your heart.

Doppler techniques are generally used in transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms. Doppler techniques can also be used to check blood flow problems and blood pressure in the arteries of your heart — which traditional ultrasound might not detect.

The blood flow shown on the monitor is colorized to help your doctor pinpoint any problems.

Stress echocardiogram

Some heart problems — particularly those involving the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle (coronary arteries) — occur only during physical activity. Your doctor might recommend a stress echocardiogram to check for coronary artery problems. However, an echocardiogram can’t provide information about any blockages in the heart’s arteries.

In a stress echocardiogram:

Risks

No risks are involved in a standard transthoracic echocardiogram. You may feel some discomfort from the transducer being held very firmly against your chest. The firmness is necessary to produce the best images of your heart.

If you have a transesophageal echocardiogram, your throat may be sore for a few hours afterward. Rarely, the tube may scrape the inside of your throat. Your oxygen level will be monitored during the exam to check for any breathing problems caused by sedation medication.

During a stress echocardiogram, exercise or medication — not the echocardiogram itself — may temporarily cause an irregular heartbeat. Serious complications, such as a heart attack, are rare.

How you prepare

Food and medications:

No special preparations are necessary for a standard transthoracic echocardiogram. You can eat, drink and take medications as you normally would.

If you’re having a transesophageal echocardiogram, your doctor will ask you not to eat for several hours beforehand.

Other precautions

If you’re having a transesophageal echocardiogram, you won’t be able to drive afterward because of the medication you’ll likely receive. Be sure to arrange for a ride home.

During the procedure

For a standard transthoracic echocardiogram:

After the procedure

Most people can resume their normal daily activities after an echocardiogram.

If your echocardiogram is normal, no further testing may be needed. If the results are concerning, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist) for more tests.

Results

Information from the echocardiogram may show:

Source: Mayo Clinic

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