The echocardiogram (echocardiogram) uses sound waves to decorate images of your heart. To find out how your heart is doing, your doctor needs to perform a common cardiac test.

An echocardiogram can be used by your doctor to identify signs and symptoms of [heart disease]. If your physician needs certain information, you will need an echocardiogram, which is one of several types of echocardiograms. Each type of echocardiogram is no riskier than each other.

Your doctor may suggest an echocardiogram as a way to:
» Do a check to see if the valves and chambers of your heart are okay.
» If the lungs are in bad condition, check to see if heart » problems are responsible for the symptoms of shortness of breath and chest pains.
» Find out if you have congenital heart defects before birth (fetal echocardiogram)