An ECHO is a non- invasive procedure that uses sound waves to create images of the heart, by taking pictures of your heart from different angles. This is done with a cardiac probe on an ultrasound machine.

An Echocardiograph is used to assess:

• Dimensions of the heart
• Chamber enlargement in the heart
• Ejection fraction of the heart
• Valves of the heart (e.g. mitral valve, aortic valve, tricuspid valve and the pulmonary valve)
• The thickness of the heart wall
• Pericardium
• Aorta
• Pulmonary artery
• Tumor or clot inside the heart

How an ECHO is conducted

For an echo, you will be provided with a gown to wear as clothing above the waist must be removed. A gel is applied to the chest in order to take images. Either the cardiologist or the physiologist will then move the probe to get better quality images.