PATIENT INFORMATION
Why have I been asked for an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, or “echo,” is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows how well the heart pumps and can assess the heart valves and pressures.
What the test involves
You lie on a couch while a probe with gel is moved over your chest. It is painless, does not use radiation, and usually takes well under an hour.
Why it may be requested
Most people do not need a routine echo before non-cardiac surgery. It may be requested when the team needs more information about symptoms or a known or suspected heart problem. For example:
- Breathlessness that has not been explained
- Signs of heart failure
- A heart murmur associated with symptoms
- Known valve disease that has not been checked recently
- A change in symptoms since your last echo
The aim is not simply to collect more reports. It is to answer a question that could change your care around surgery.
Bring previous reports
If you have had an echo before, bring the report. If your condition and symptoms have not changed, a recent echo may be enough.
An abnormal result needs interpretation in your clinical context. Do not decide whether surgery is safe, or change treatment, solely from information on this website.