Cardiac Ultrasound (ECHO) - resting

A cardiac ultrasound is often referred to as an echocardiogram or an ECHO. An ECHO produces images of the heart with high-frequency sound waves. The images will allow assessment of the shape and movement of the heart valves, the size of the heart chambers, and how well the heart is working overall.

A cardiac ultrasound is ordered to assess many different heart conditions or investigate clinical symptoms. The ultrasound can show damage to the heart from heart attacks or infections as well as heart murmurs. The test can be done at rest or during an exercise stress test or myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). When used during a stress evaluation, changes in blood pressure and heart rate are monitored and recorded to evaluate the heart’s performance.

Echocardiograms are typically ordered for patients with high-risk factors or a family history of heart disease.

An echocardiogram is done over a bare chest (the patient is asked to wear a patient gown) while lying on an examination bed. A small amount of ultrasound gel will be applied to the chest along with electrocardiograph patches, and a registered cardiac sonographer runs a transducer across the chest to send images to the computer and create images of the heart with sound waves.