An echo gives your clinical team a moving ultrasound view of your heart. It may help investigate a heart-related concern or assess an existing heart condition. Your symptoms, medical history and other tests still shape what the result means.
What an echocardiogram may assess
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to build up moving pictures of the heart. It can show the heart chambers, valve movement and aspects of blood flow. It may help assess how well the heart is pumping.[1][2]
Your clinician may recommend an echo if they need to investigate symptoms that could relate to a heart condition, or if they need information about a known heart problem. NICE includes transthoracic echocardiography within the wider assessment of suspected heart failure, alongside history, examination and other tests.[3]
An echo is part of an assessment, not a complete answer
| Test or assessment | What it may contribute | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Echocardiogram | Uses ultrasound images to assess the heart’s structure, valves, pumping and blood flow. | It cannot explain every cause of a symptom or directly show every coronary artery problem. |
| ECG | Records the heart’s electrical activity and can support rhythm assessment. | It does not provide an ultrasound image of the heart’s structure or valve movement. |
| Other assessment | A clinician may use your history, examination, blood tests or other imaging alongside an echo. | The mix of tests depends on your symptoms and clinical question. |
An echo may show an abnormality that needs further assessment, or it may leave another cause of symptoms to investigate. If transthoracic images are poor, NICE says clinicians should consider other imaging methods where appropriate.[3]
The type of echocardiogram matters
A transthoracic echocardiogram, also called a TTE, uses a probe on the chest. NHS describes it as the most common form of echo. A transoesophageal echo, or TOE, uses a thin probe in the oesophagus to give different views. Stress and contrast echocardiograms have their own purposes and preparation.[1][2]
The clinic confirms the appropriate route, suitability, referral needs, availability, preparation, reporting and follow-up at booking. Do not assume that guidance for one type of echo applies to another.
What to expect from a standard chest ultrasound echo
Privacy and comfort
You usually remove clothing from the top half of your body and wear a gown. You can ask for a chaperone or another person to be present where appropriate.
The examination
The person carrying out the scan applies gel and moves a probe across the chest to collect images. You may hear blood-flow sounds and may feel temporary pressure.
Preparation
Some standard echo appointments allow usual food and drink. Other test types may need different instructions, so follow the information for your planned examination.
After the scan
Standard echo and other types of echo can have different aftercare. The clinic confirms your reporting and follow-up arrangements for the selected pathway at booking.
When symptoms need urgent NHS help
Call 999 for tight or squeezing chest pain, chest pain spreading to your arms, neck or jaw, severe breathing difficulty, or if someone has collapsed and is not responding. NHS advises immediate emergency assessment for those symptoms.[4]
Call 999 if you think you are having a stroke, including sudden face weakness, arm weakness or speech problems. Get urgent GP advice or use NHS 111 for breathlessness at rest or when lying down, coughing frothy pink phlegm, or sudden weight gain.[5][6]
Do not wait for a routine heart scan
A routine echocardiogram does not replace emergency assessment. Call 999 for emergency symptoms. If you are unsure which service you need, use NHS 111.
Understanding results and next steps
The person who requested your echo explains how the result fits with your symptoms and other information. NHS notes that some results may be discussed on the day, while others may need a later appointment.[1]
A report can support a diagnosis, change the next test, or lead to a referral. Keep seeking help if symptoms get worse while you are waiting for an appointment or a result.
Questions to ask before booking
Are my symptoms urgent, and should I use 999 or NHS 111 instead of booking a routine scan?
What clinical question will this echocardiogram help to answer?
Which type of echocardiogram has been recommended, and how do I prepare?
Does my medical history or medication change the appointment route?
What are the limits of this test for my symptoms?
How will the result be reviewed and what might happen next?
Frequently asked questions
Does an echocardiogram use radiation?
A standard echocardiogram uses ultrasound sound waves, not ionising radiation. The type of echocardiogram selected for you still matters, so ask about the planned test and why it has been recommended.
Will I need to prepare?
Preparation depends on the test type. NHS guidance says some people can eat and drink as usual before a standard echo, while transoesophageal echocardiography has different instructions. The clinic confirms the appropriate route, suitability, referral needs, availability, preparation, reporting and follow-up at booking.
Can an echo diagnose every heart problem?
No. An echo may provide useful information about heart structure and function, but results need to be interpreted with your symptoms, examination and other relevant tests. A clinician may recommend another assessment if it is needed.
Is an echocardiogram the same as an ECG?
No. An ECG records electrical activity. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create moving images of the heart. The tests can complement each other, but the suitable pathway depends on the question being assessed.
How and when will I receive my result?
NHS guidance says results may sometimes be discussed on the day and may sometimes need a later appointment. The clinic confirms reporting and follow-up arrangements for the selected pathway at booking.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Call 999 for tight or squeezing chest pain, chest pain spreading to the arms, neck or jaw, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or sudden FAST stroke symptoms. Do not wait for a routine echocardiogram appointment.