An echocardiogram uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create moving pictures of your heart. It allows doctors to see your heart beating and pumping blood.
Procedure & Process
Gel is applied to your chest.
A transducer (wand) is moved across your chest.
Sound waves create images on a monitor.
Different modes (Doppler, Color Flow) assess blood flow speed and direction.
Benefits & Recovery
Assesses overall heart function.
Detects valve problems, heart defects, and damage from heart attacks.