An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. There are no needles and no radiation, and you can usually go right back to your day.
In one study, your care team can see how strongly your heart pumps and how well your valves open and close. They can also check the size of each chamber and how blood flows through the heart. Doppler imaging adds color to the picture, showing the speed and direction of blood flow. That helps spot leaky or narrowed valves.
Doctors order echos to look into symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling or a new heart murmur. They also use them to follow known conditions over time. It’s one of the most useful tests in cardiology, and it can now come to you.
For general information only. Not a substitute for medical advice.