Echocardiography (Heart Ultrasound)

What is an Echocardiogram?

An Echocardiogram (ECHO) uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create live images of your heart. It allows specialists to see the size and shape of the heart, the thickness of the heart walls, and how well the heart chambers and valves are functioning during both contraction and relaxation. It also tracks blood flow direction and speed, which is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various heart conditions.

This procedure is non-invasive, painless, and does not involve radiation. The examination typically takes about 20–30 minutes.

Who Should Get a Heart ECHO?

• People experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling that may be heart-related.
• Individuals with chest pain or suspected Ischemic Heart Disease.
• Those with heart palpitations, irregular rhythms, or an enlarged heart found on an X-ray.
• Patients with congenital heart disease or heart valve abnormalities, including post-surgery follow-ups.
• Chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) patients suspected of having thickened heart muscles (hypertrophy).

Preparation Before the ECHO

• No Fasting Required: You may eat and drink normally.
• Medications: Continue taking your usual medications, but inform your doctor about them.
• Avoid Stimulants: Refrain from tea or coffee on the day of the test as caffeine can alter your heart rate.

ECHO Procedure Steps

1. The patient lies on their back or left side on an examination bed.
2. Small electrodes are attached to the chest to monitor the heart's electrical rhythm (EKG) during the ultrasound.
3. A specialist applies a gel and moves a transducer (ultrasound probe) across the chest area. Images of the heart appear instantly on a monitor for the doctor to analyze.

Recommended Doctors

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