An echocardiogram (or “echo”) is a painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to get a picture of the heart chambers and valves. The sound waves bounce back from the heart, producing images and sounds that can be used by the physician to detect damage and disease. It is also called a transthoracic echocardiogram. The word “transthoracic” means “across the chest.”

Depending on which type of echocardiogram is used, an echocardiogram is either noninvasive or minimally invasive. It is used to measure the structure and function of the heart, enabling physicians to:

• Measure the heart wall shape and check for abnormalities in heart wall motion
  
  
• Detect disease or accumulation of fluid in the pericardium (a sac around the heart)
  
  
• Identify blood clots
  
  
• Check the condition of certain blood vessels

During an echocardiogram, the physician or technician uses a hand-held device called a transducer to send and receive ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) signals. A computer then calculates the travel time of these sound waves to and from the heart. An image of the heart is produced on video monitors, paper, videotape and/or digital storage devices.

An echocardiogram does not require the use of radiation and produces a very reliable image, making it an exceptionally safe test. Because this is the same technology used to evaluate the health of a baby in the mother’s womb it is considered a safe method for examining the hearts of children and pregnant women.

An echocardiogram is often given to patients who have experienced signs and symptoms such as:

• An abnormal heart sound (heart murmur)
• Certain types of chest pain (e.g., angina)
• An abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG)
• An abnormal rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia)
• An abnormal chest x-ray
• Shortness of breath
• Symptoms of heart failure (e.g., shortness of breath, fatigue)
• Symptoms of embolism (e.g., stroke, arterial occlusion)