Echocardiogram (echo) is a cardiac ultrasound where your heart muscle and valve function is assessed. It uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. There are no associated risks with undergoing an echo. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart. They also show how well your heart chambers and valves are working.

Echo also can pinpoint areas of heart muscle that are not contracting well because of poor blood flow or injury from a previous heart attack. A type of echo called Doppler ultrasound shows how well blood flows through your heart chambers and valves.

Echo can detect possible blood clots inside the heart, fluid buildup in the pericardium, and problems with the aorta.

• No prior preparation is needed.

• Please wear comfortable and easy to remove clothing (eg: shirt and pants), as you will be asked to remove your shirt for the test. Ladies will be provided a gown to wear for the test.

• It will take approximately 1 hour.

• You may feel pressure where the probe is being pressed into your chest.  Let Dimitri know if you experience discomfort that is too overwhelming.

• You will be asked to lie flat on the bed on your back (for a short period) or on your left side (for the majority of the time). 

• You may also be asked to hold your breath for a short time to obtain the images.

• You will be required to lie still for the scan.

• During the test, electrodes will be placed to your chest to monitor an ECG trace.

• Cold gel will be applied to your chest to obtain the images.

• You will hear sounds coming from the machine during the chest, rest assured these are normal heart noises.

• There are no risks associated with the echocardiogram.