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Echo Notes14 August 20263 min read
What Is an Echocardiogram?
A painless ultrasound of the heart that shows how well it pumps and how the valves work. Here is what to expect.
By Dr Umar Shafique
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A window into your heart — without a single needle
An echocardiogram (or "echo") is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses harmless sound waves to build a live moving picture of the heart muscle, its valves, and the blood flowing through it.
What it shows
- How strongly the heart is pumping (the ejection fraction)
- Whether any valve is leaking or narrowed
- The size and thickness of the heart chambers
- Fluid around the heart
What to expect during the test
You lie on your left side while a small probe is moved gently over your chest. It is completely painless, involves no radiation, and usually takes 20–30 minutes.
When is an echo needed?
Common reasons include breathlessness, a heart murmur, high blood pressure, palpitations, or follow-up after a heart attack.
#echocardiogram#echo#imaging