FAQs

  • An echocardiogram is a simple and safe ultrasound test that uses sound waves (not radiation) to create moving images of your heart. It allows us to assess the heart’s structure, see how well it’s pumping, check the function of heart valves, and observe how blood flows through the heart to identify any abnormalities or heart conditions.

  • Your doctor may refer you for an echocardiogram to check how well your heart is functioning or to investigate symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, high blood pressure or a heart murmur. The test helps detect and monitor a wide range of heart conditions, including valve problems, heart muscle weakness, fluid around the heart, and other structural abnormalities. Echocardiograms are also commonly used to monitor patients with known heart disease or those undergoing treatment that can affect heart function.

  • No special preparation is needed for an echocardiogram. You can eat, drink, and take your usual medications as normal before the test. We recommend wearing a two-piece outfit, as you’ll be asked to remove clothing from your upper body and change into a gown for the scan. If you have any previous heart test results or reports, please bring them with you so we can compare them during your appointment.

  • An echocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive procedure that is completely safe. Here’s what typically happens during the test

    • You’ll be asked to remove your top so you have a bare chest, and a gown will be provided for you to wear during the scan.

    • A cardiac sonographer will place three stickers (ECG electrodes) on your chest to monitor the rhythm of your heart.

    • For the majority of the test you will lay on your left side.

    • A water-based gel will be applied to your chest, and the sonographer will capture moving images of your heart with a handheld ultrasound probe (called a transducer).

  • A standard echocardiogram usually takes about 30–45 minutes. Complex studies may take longer.

  • Yes, an echocardiogram is completely safe. It uses sound waves (ultrasound), not radiation, to create images of your heart. The test is non-invasive, meaning nothing enters your body, and it doesn’t cause any pain. You may feel slight pressure from the probe on your chest or a cool sensation from the gel, but most people find it very comfortable.