Also called a Cardio ECHO or a sonogram of the heart.

It is a test to evaluate the cardiovascular cardiovascular function of someone along with the Pulmonary circulation .

Is essential a specialized ultrasound of the heart and it uses techniques to form a two-dimensional image of the heart. 

The picture is much more specialized and advanced over an X-ray

Some new technology allows a 3D view

The Echo is performed by a trained cardiac sonographers or Cardiologists

Is often very usesful in detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Is considered mostly a non-invasive procedure and doesn’t involve any breaking of the skin or entering a body cavity [except the alternate form discussed below].

Uses:

     -    Detects Cardiovascular Diseases
     -    Imaging the heart
     -    Assess the velocity of blood and tissue
     -    Determines size of heart
     -    Assess cardiac valves functionality
     -    Possible leaking of blood through valves
     -    Evaluation of ejection fraction

The Process

     -    While laying on back or left side
     -    Typically you start on your back and may be asked to roll onto your left side
     -    A gel will be placed on your chest
     -    Echocardiography Transducer or probe is placed on Chest Wall
     -    Ultrasound takes images through the skin

Risks or Side Effects

     -   None

Types

1.)   Transthoracic Echocardiogram

  -  Is the standard type

2.)   Transoesophageal Echocardiogram

  -  Alternative way for the Echocardiogram
  -  A probe containing a ultrasound transducer
  -  Probe is passed through the esophagus
  -  Doppler image can then be recorded.

3.)   3 - Dimensional Echocardiography

  -  Ultrasound probe plus a specialized transducer