An echocardiogram, or "echo," is a type of ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It is a non-invasive test that can diagnose and manage heart disease. During the test, a technician or a trained specialist called a cardiac physiologist will attach sticky patches called electrodes to your chest to check your heart rhythm. The test can show blood flow through the heart and heart valves, and it can also check how well your heart handles activity. There are different types of echocardiograms, including:
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Exercise stress echo: This test shows how your heart works when its taxed, and it resembles a traditional exercise stress test. A technician will monitor your heart rate and rhythm, as well as your blood pressure, while using echo imaging.
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Dobutamine stress echo: This test checks your heart and valves when you cant exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. A nurse will put an intravenous line (IV) into a vein in your arm to give you the dobutamine.
The echocardiogram test usually takes about an hour.
