An echocardiogram, often called an "echo," is a cardiac ultrasound of the heart. It creates real-time images of your heart, allowing cardiologists and imaging specialists to assess its structure and pumping function.
What Does an Echocardiogram Measure?
A standard transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is the most common type. It is performed from outside the chest.
- —Heart size and chamber dimensions (ventricles, atria)
- —Ejection fraction (how much blood is pumped with each beat)
- —Wall motion abnormalities (indicate a prior heart attack)
- —Valve function (to detect regurgitation or stenosis)
- —Pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)
- —Congenital defects (such as holes in the heart)
- —Pulmonary artery pressure
Why should you get an Echocardiogram?
Your doctor may order an echo for if you're noticing symptoms or concerns:
- —Chest pain or pressure
- —Shortness of breath
- —Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- —Unexplained fatigue or reduced exercise capacity
- —A heart murmur heard on physical exam
- —Swelling in the legs or ankles
- —Dizziness or fainting
- —Family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death
- —Monitoring known valve disease or heart failure
If you develop sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough up blood, please call 911 immediately.
What Happens During the Exam?
The procedure is non-invasive and painless. You lie on an exam table while a sonographer applies a gel to your chest and moves a handheld probe across your skin. The device translates sound waves into a moving image.
Understanding the Results
The most important figure from an echocardiogram is the ejection fraction (EF). This is the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle in each heartbeat. A normal EF is in the range of 55% to 70%. An EF below 40% typically indicates heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and requires aggressive management.
Why Same-Day Results Matter
Waiting weeks for a hospital or cardiology office to schedule an echocardiogram and then additional days for results can be frustrating and risky when symptoms are present. At a dedicated cardiac imaging center, studies are read and signed in the same day, allowing your doctor to begin treatment and next steps immediately.
If you are experiencing heart-related symptoms, same-day scheduling is available at Heartwell STAT Imaging.
