Medicine

Patient information

Echocardiogram:  An Ultrasound Scan of the Heart

If you have any queries regarding your test please contact the clinic where your echocardiogram will take place:

• Clinic 3 reception: 0203 765 8154.
• Clinic 5 reception: 0203 765 5835.

Echocardiogram

What is an echocardiogram and why is it done?

An echocardiogram (“echo”) is an ultrasound scan of the heart.  Ultrasound is used to produce images of the heart on a screen, providing information about its structure and function.

An echo can be carried out for many different reasons, for example it may be done to check how well your heart is pumping after a heart attack; to look for the cause of a heart murmur (unusual sound a doctor hears with their stethoscope); to check for fluid around the heart or to look for a cause of breathlessness.

Who performs the test?

Echocardiograms are usually performed by cardiac physiologists, but can sometimes be done by another healthcare professional, such as a junior doctor. We have both male and female physiologists working in our departments. If you would prefer a physiologist of a particular gender to undertake your test, please contact the department before the scheduled appointment (details on page 1 of this leaflet).  Alternatively this can be arranged upon arrival, but may lead to a delay in your scan.  

What happens during the test?

The physiologist will welcome you into the scanning room and ask you to remove your upper clothing (including underwear) in preparation for the scan. There is a curtained area for you to undress and a gown will be provided, however this will need to be open during the scan so that the physiologist can access your chest.

You will be asked to lie on a scanning couch and the physiologist will attach 3 electrodes (small stickers) to your chest before starting the procedure. The scan is performed using an ultrasound probe which is placed on the skin with slight pressure and moved around the area being scanned. A lubricating jelly will be used to ensure the probe has good contact with the skin. The jelly can be a bit cold.

You will be asked to move on to your side during the scan so that the physiologist can scan the heart from different angles. The physiologist will scan the centre of your chest, around the lower-left side of your chest (for women this will be under the left breast), the upper centre of the abdomen and often on the lower part of the neck. If you require assistance to move, the physiologist can help with this.

The test should not be painful, but you may feel pressure where the probe is placed.  This helps to improve image quality. The test takes about 15-30 minutes depending on what questions need to be answered and how easy the images are to acquire.

You do not need any special preparation before the test. You can eat and drink normally before and after the test. Please continue to take your usual medication

Chaperones

If you would like a staff member of the same gender to accompany you during your scan, please contact the department prior to your appointment in order to arrange this.  This can also be requested on the day by contacting reception upon arrival.

When do I get the results?

After the scan, the physiologist will write a report based on images and measurements obtained. Like many other diagnostic tests, the physiologist is asked not to give results of the test, but to wait until they are reviewed by the referring doctor. You will not receive any results on the day of the test unless you have a separate appointment with a doctor on the same day.

Results will only be sent to GPs if they specifically requested the test, or the referring doctor sends it to them as a record.

Further information can be found on the British Heart Foundation website:

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/echocardiogram

Patient Transport Information

If you require hospital transportation to attend your appointment please contact: 03300 416 767

Large print and other languages

This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as easy read or large print, and may be available in alternative languages, upon request. For more information, speak to your clinical team.
এই তথ্যগুলো সহজে পড়া যায় অথবা বৃহৎ প্রিন্টের মত বিকল্প ফরম্যাটে পাওয়া যাবে, এবং অনুরোধে অন্য ভাষায়ও পাওয়া যেতে পারে। আরো তথ্যের জন্য আপনার ক্লিনিক্যাল টিমের সাথে কথা বলুন।

Na żądanie te informacje mogą zostać udostępnione w innych formatach, takich jak zapis większą czcionką lub łatwą do czytania, a także w innych językach. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, porozmawiaj ze swoim zespołem specjalistów.

Macluumaadkaan waxaa loo heli karaa qaab kale, sida ugu akhrinta ugu fudud, ama far waa weyn, waxana laga yabaa in lagu heli luuqaado Kale, haddii la codsado. Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah, kala hadal kooxda xarunta caafimaadka.

Bu bilgi, kolay okunurluk veya büyük baskılar gibi alternatif biçimlerde sunulabilir, ve talep üzerine Alternatif Dillerde sunulabilir. Daha fazla bilgi için klinik ekibinizle irtibata geçin.

یہ معلومات متبادل فارمیٹس میں دستیاب کی جا سکتی ہیں، جیسا کہ پڑھنے میں آسان یا بڑا پرنٹ  اور درخواست پر متبادل زبانوں میں بھی دستیاب ہو سکتی ہیں۔ مزید معلومات کے لیے، اپنی کلینکل ٹیم سے بات کریں'۔

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Reference: BH/PIN/1069

Publication date: March 2021

All our patient information leaflets are reviewed every three years.

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