An echocardiogram, or "echo", is a scan used to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels.
It’s a type of ultrasound scan, which means a small probe is used to send out high-frequency sound waves that create echoes when they bounce off different parts of the body.
These echoes are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image on a monitor while the scan is carried out.
An echocardiogram may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.
The test will usually be carried out at a hospital or clinic by a cardiologist, cardiac physiologist, or a trained technician called a sonographer.
Although it has a similar name, an echocardiogram is not the same as an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.
Echocardiography is a safe, non-invasive test with no known long-term risks.
Minor discomfort: Pressure from the /probe on the chest.
Duration: typically 20-40 minutes
You can be seen through the NHS or as a private patient. You’ll need a referral first, and we’ll check it to make sure this service is right for you.