Echo (echocardiogram)

An echo is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses high frequency sound waves to create a picture of your heart.

When you have an echo, doctors can look at:

• the structure of your heart

• how well the heart is pumping

• nearby blood vessels

The ultrasound scanner has a probe that gives off sound waves. The probe looks a bit like a microphone. The sound waves bounce off the heart and the probe picks them up. The probe links to a computer that turns the sound waves into a picture on the screen.

You also have sticky pads with wires connected to your chest. These track your heart rate during the test.

The test takes between 20 minutes to 1 hour. You usually have an echo in the hospital x-ray or heart department. A specially trained heart ultrasound specialist (echocardiographer) does the test.

Why do I need an echo?

People who are having cancer treatment might have an echo because:

• you’re due to have or are having a cancer treatment that might affect the heart

• you have a known heart condition

• you have had a heart trace (ECG) and the doctor needs more information about your heart

• the doctor or nurse has examined you and listened to your heart and they need more information

You might have an echo at different times during your treatment. This is to check how well your heart is working and for possible changes to your heart function.

What happens on the day?

Preparing for your echo

You don’t need to do anything before you have the test. Take your medicines as normal and you can eat and drink as usual. 

During the echo

The person doing the test will explain the procedure to you before they start. You can ask any questions you might have about your test.  

You undress from the waist up and you can put on a hospital gown.

You might have the echo in a darkened room. This is so the person scanning can see the heart pictures more clearly. 

You usually lie on your left side on a couch next to a machine with a TV screen. Do let the person doing the scan know if you are uncomfortable. They will do all they can to try to make you more comfortable.

You will usually have a few small sticky pads put on your chest. Wires are then attached to the pads, which are connected to the echo machine. This monitors your heart rate and rhythm.

The person doing the scan covers the ultrasound probe in gel, which helps the probe slide easily. The gel can sometimes feel cold on your skin. They move the probe over your chest around the area of the heart. This allows them to get a good view of the heart from different angles. To get clear pictures, they may ask you to change your position during the echo.

During the test you’ll hear your heart beat and a swishing noise from the echo machine. The swishing noise is your blood flow.

They’ll take pictures and measurements during the test. This information is then sent back to your doctor.

After your echo

When the test is finished you wipe off the gel left on your skin. You can get dressed and go back to the ward, home or back to work.

Possible risks

An echo is a safe test. There are no risks from this test.

Getting your results

You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks or maybe sooner. This depends on how quickly your doctor needs the results.

Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact them if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.

You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can speak to for information if you need to. It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.

More information

We have more information on tests, treatment and support if you have been diagnosed with cancer.