Echocardiography: 2D, Strain, 3D, TEE, Stress and Paediatric Echo
Ultrasound scans of the heart that show its chambers, valves, pumping strength and blood flow, with special types for more detail, stress testing and children.
What an echo shows
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses sound waves, not X-rays, so there is no radiation. It shows the size of the heart chambers, how well the heart pumps, how the valves open and close, the pressure in the lungs, fluid around the heart, and holes in the heart. It is commonly used for breathlessness, chest pain, swelling of the feet, a heart murmur, high blood pressure and suspected heart failure.
Types of echo
2D echo with Doppler
The standard test. You lie on your left side, gel is put on the chest and a probe is moved over it. It takes a short time and needs no special preparation.
Strain imaging
Added to a standard echo, it measures how the heart muscle stretches and shortens. It can pick up early heart-muscle weakness before the usual pumping measure falls, for example in people receiving certain cancer treatments.
3D echo
Builds a three-dimensional picture, useful for looking at valves and the shape and size of holes, such as before ASD device closure.
TEE (transoesophageal echo)
A thin probe is passed through the mouth into the food pipe, which lies just behind the heart, giving clearer pictures of valves, clots and holes. You will need to fast beforehand. The throat is numbed with a spray and a sedative is given. Do not eat or drink until the numbness wears off, and have someone accompany you home.
Dobutamine stress echo
For people who cannot exercise on a treadmill. A medicine called dobutamine is given through a drip to make the heart work harder, and echo pictures are taken at each stage. It helps show whether any part of the heart muscle is short of blood in coronary artery disease. Your doctor will tell you whether to pause any medicines before the test.
Paediatric echo
Echo for babies and children, mainly to look for congenital heart problems such as a hole in the heart or a PDA.
What to bring
Bring earlier echo reports, ECGs and your medicine list. Report any chest pain or breathlessness during a stress test straight away.
Which type of echo you need is decided only after examination and your history. This page is for understanding, not a substitute for consultation.
For understanding only — the right test or treatment is decided after examination.
