Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This commonly used test allows your doctor to see how your heart is beating and pumping blood.  Your doctor will look for heart size, pumping strength, damage to the heart muscle, valve problems, and heart defects.

Transthoracic echocardiogram is a standard, noninvasive echocardiogram. A technician (sonographer) spreads gel on your chest and then presses a device known as a transducer firmly against your skin, aiming an ultrasound beam through your chest to your heart. The transducer records the sound wave echoes your heart produces. A computer converts the echoes into moving images on a monitor.  Doppler echocardiogram is when sound waves bounce off blood cells moving through your heart and blood vessels, they change pitch. These changes (Doppler signals) can help your doctor measure the speed and direction of the blood flow in your heart. Doppler techniques are used in most transthoracic echocardiograms, and can check blood flow problems and blood pressures in the arteries.   

After undressing from the waist up, you'll lie on an examining bed. The technician will attach sticky patches (electrodes) to your body to help detect and conduct the electrical currents of your heart.  During the echocardiogram, the technician will dim the lights to better view the image on the monitor. You may hear a pulsing "whoosh" sound, which the machine is recording the blood flowing through your heart. Most echocardiograms take 45 minutes, but the timing may vary depending on your condition. During a transthoracic echocardiogram, you may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll onto your left side. Sometimes the transducer must be held very firmly against your chest. This can be uncomfortable — but it helps the technician produce the best images of your heart.

No special preparations are necessary for a standard transthoracic echocardiogram.