Diagnostics
ECHO (Echocardiography)
Live ultrasound imaging of the heart's structure and function.
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound — the same safe, radiation-free technology used in pregnancy scans — to produce a live, moving image of your heart. It shows how well each chamber is pumping, how the valves are opening and closing, and whether there's any structural issue like a thickened wall or fluid around the heart. It's often the test that turns a vague symptom into a clear diagnosis.
Types of ECHO (Echocardiography)
2D / Standard ECHO
A probe placed on the chest images the heart's chambers, walls, and valves at rest. This is the most commonly performed type.
Stress ECHO
An ECHO done right after exercise (or medication that mimics it), to see how the heart performs under load — useful when symptoms only appear on exertion.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ECHO the same as an ECG?+
No. An ECG measures the heart's electrical activity, while an ECHO uses ultrasound to create a moving image of the heart's structure and how well it's pumping. They're often done together for a fuller picture.
Is echocardiography safe?+
Yes. It uses ultrasound waves, not radiation, and has no known side effects — the same technology used safely during pregnancy scans.
What can an ECHO detect that other tests can't?+
It can directly show heart valve function, chamber size, wall thickness, and pumping strength — structural details that an ECG or blood test cannot capture.
This page is for general information and doesn't replace a medical consultation. Your cardiologist will confirm what's right for your specific case.