Echo (Echocardiogram)
Heart · Imaging
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No lab currently offers this test.
About this test
What is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, or echo, is a non‑invasive imaging test that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to create moving pictures of the heart. It shows how the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels look and how well they are working.
Key Parameters Measured
| Parameter | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Ejection Fraction (EF) | Percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each beat |
| Chamber Size | Size of the atria and ventricles, indicating enlargement or shrinkage |
| Valve Function | Whether the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, or pulmonary valves open and close normally |
| Blood Flow Patterns | Direction and speed of blood flow through the heart and great vessels |
| Wall Motion | How the heart muscle moves, detecting areas that may be weak or stiff |
Why is it done?
- Routine check‑up for people with risk factors for heart disease
- Evaluation of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or fainting
- Monitoring of known heart conditions (e.g., heart failure, valve disease, cardiomyopathy)
- Pre‑operative assessment before heart surgery or certain procedures
Early Detection
An echo can help identify signs of conditions like heart failure or valve problems, but it does not diagnose on its own. A doctor interprets the results together with symptoms, history, and other tests.
What Abnormal Results May Mean
- A low ejection fraction may suggest heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
- Enlarged chambers can indicate high blood pressure or valve disease.
- Valve leaks or blockages may be seen as abnormal flow patterns. Many factors—hydration, medications, recent exercise—can affect measurements, so results are considered in context.
Who Might Be Advised to Get an Echo?
- Adults with a family history of heart disease
- Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol
- Patients experiencing unexplained chest pain, breathlessness, or palpitations
- Those with a known heart condition needing follow‑up
Quick Summary
An echocardiogram is a safe, painless ultrasound test that visualizes the heart’s structure and function, helping doctors assess and monitor heart health.
Used for detecting / monitoring
Before your test
Preparation
- Fasting: No fasting required for an echocardiogram.
- If combined with a fasting test: Follow the strictest instruction (e.g., if you are also having a blood glucose test, fast for 8–12 hours).
- Procedure: A gel is applied to your chest and a handheld transducer (probe) is moved over the area. The test takes about 20–30 minutes.
- Comfort: The procedure is painless; you may feel the probe moving but no needles or injections are involved.
- Precautions: No special precautions are needed. If you are on medication that affects heart rate or blood pressure, inform the technician.
- After the test: You can resume normal activities immediately.
- Note: Confirm any specific preparation instructions with your doctor or the lab. This information is general educational content and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Sample type: Imaging
Report parameter guide
Ejection Fraction
Percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat
Low: Can indicate weakened heart muscle or heart failure
High: Can indicate hyperdynamic heart function, often seen in early heart failure or high-output states
Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume
Volume of blood in the left ventricle just before it contracts
Low: May indicate restrictive cardiomyopathy or severe valve disease
High: May indicate dilated cardiomyopathy or volume overload
Left Ventricular End-Systolic Volume
Volume of blood remaining in the left ventricle after contraction
Low: May indicate hypercontractile heart or low afterload
High: May indicate systolic dysfunction or heart failure
Left Ventricular Wall Thickness
Thickness of the muscle walls of the left ventricle
Low: May indicate hypokinetic cardiomyopathy or low muscle mass
High: May indicate hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or hypertension
Left Ventricular Mass
Overall mass of the left ventricular muscle
Low: May indicate muscle wasting or severe valve disease
High: May indicate hypertrophy due to hypertension or valve disease
Right Ventricular Function
How well the right ventricle pumps blood
Low: May indicate right heart failure or pulmonary hypertension
High: Rarely high; may indicate hyperdynamic state
Diastolic Function
How well the heart relaxes and fills with blood
Low: May indicate stiff ventricle or diastolic dysfunction
High: May indicate increased filling pressures or restrictive physiology
Valve Regurgitation Severity
Extent of blood leaking backward through heart valves
Low: None or trivial leak
High: Severe leak causing volume overload
Aortic Stenosis Severity
Degree of narrowing of the aortic valve opening
Low: None or mild narrowing
High: Severe narrowing leading to pressure overload
Pulmonary Artery Pressure
Pressure in the pulmonary artery
Low: Low pressure may indicate pulmonary embolism or low cardiac output
High: High pressure indicates pulmonary hypertension
Left Atrial Size
Size of the left atrium
Low: Small size may indicate restrictive filling
High: Enlarged size may indicate chronic diastolic dysfunction or mitral valve disease
Global Longitudinal Strain
Measure of myocardial deformation during contraction
Low: Reduced strain indicates impaired myocardial function
High: Increased strain is uncommon; may indicate hypercontractility