Orange County Heart Institute

Echocardiogram

A cardiac echo, short for echocardiogram, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to create moving pictures of your heart.

Echocardiogram

What it shows

A cardiac echo lets doctors see:

The size and shape of your heart
How well your heart chambers and valves are working
The pumping strength (how effectively your heart moves blood)
Blood flow patterns (using a special technique called Doppler ultrasound)

How it’s done

A technician places a small device (called a transducer) on your chest
It sends sound waves into your body
Those waves bounce off your heart and create live images on a screen
It’s painless and usually takes about 30–60 minutes

Why doctors order it

Common reasons include:

Checking for heart valve problems
Evaluating symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting
Monitoring conditions like heart failure
Looking for structural issues or damage after a heart event

What to expect

Before the test

No special preparation is needed
You can eat, drink, and take medications normally (unless your doctor says otherwise)
You’ll be asked to change into a gown and remove clothing from the waist up

During the test

You’ll lie on an exam table
A technician places small sticky patches (electrodes) on your chest to monitor your heartbeat
They apply a cool gel to your chest—this helps the sound waves travel better
A handheld device (transducer) is moved around your chest to capture images

You may notice:

Light pressure from the transducer (sometimes slightly uncomfortable, but not painful)
The room may be dimly lit so the technician can see the screen clearly

You might be asked to:

Hold your breath briefly
Change positions slightly
The test usually takes 30–60 minutes.

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