What Is Echocardiogram – Indications, Procedures, Results

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 8 min read
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Article Summary

Echocardiogram For Adult Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE); Echocardiogram - transthoracic; Doppler ultrasound of the heart; Surface echo An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a standard x-ray image. An echocardiogram does not expose you to radiation. How the Test is Performed TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TTE) TTE is the type of echocardiogram...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains How the Test is Performed in simple medical language.
  • This article explains How to Prepare for the Test in simple medical language.
  • This article explains How the Test will Feel in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Why the Test is Performed in simple medical language.
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For Adult

Definition

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE); Echocardiogram – transthoracic; of the heart; Surface

An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a standard  image. An echocardiogram does not expose you to radiation.

How the Test is Performed

TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TTE)

TTE is the type of echocardiogram that most people will have.

  • A trained sonographer performs the test. A heart doctor (cardiologist) interprets the results.
  • An instrument called a transducer is placed on various locations on your chest and upper and directed toward the heart. This device releases high-frequency sound waves.
  • The transducer picks up the echoes of sound waves and transmits them as electrical impulses. The echocardiography machine converts these impulses into moving pictures of the heart. Still pictures are also taken.
  • Pictures can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The type of picture will depend on the part of the heart being evaluated and the type of machine.
  • A Doppler echocardiogram records the motion of blood through the heart.

An echocardiogram shows the heart while it is beating. It also shows the heart valves and other structures.

In some cases, your lungs, ribs, or body tissue may prevent the sound waves and echoes from providing a clear picture of heart function. If this is a problem, the sonographer may inject a small amount of liquid (contrast) through an IV to better see the inside of the heart.

Rarely, more testing using special echocardiography probes may be needed.

TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TEE)

The back of your is numbed and a scope is inserted down your throat.

On the end of the scope is a device that sends out sound waves. A heart doctor with special training will guide the scope down the . This method is used to get a clearer echocardiogram of your heart.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special steps are needed before a TTE test. If you are having a TEE, you will not be able to eat or drink for several hours before the test.

How the Test will Feel

During the test:

  • You will need to take off your clothes from the waist up and lie on an exam table on your back.
  • Electrodes will be placed on your chest to monitor your heart beat.
  • A gel is spread on your chest and the transducer will be moved over your skin. You will feel a slight pressure on your chest from the transducer.
  • You may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll over onto your left side. Sometimes a special bed is used to help you stay in the proper position.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is done to evaluate the valves and chambers of the heart from the outside of your body. The echocardiogram can help detect:

  • Abnormal heart valves
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Damage to the from a
  • Heart murmurs
  • (  ) or fluid in the sac around the heart (pericardial effusion)
  • on or around the heart valves (infectious )
  • Ability of the heart to pump (for people with  )
  • Source of a blood clot after a  or 

Your health care provider may recommend a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) if:

  • The regular or transthoracic echocardiogram is unclear. Unclear results may be due to the shape of your chest, lung disease, or excess body fat.
  • An area of the heart needs to be looked at in more detail.

Normal Results

A normal echocardiogram reveals normal heart valves and chambers and normal heart wall movement.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal echocardiogram can mean many things. Some abnormalities are very minor and do not pose major risks. Other abnormalities are signs of serious heart disease. You will need more tests by a specialist in this case. It is very important to talk about the results of your echocardiogram with your provider.

Risks

There are no known risks from an external transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) test.

There is some risk associated with the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) test. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is an invasive procedure. Talk with your health care provider about risks associated with this test.

Considerations

Abnormal results may indicate:

  • disease
  • Pericardial effusion
  • Other heart abnormalities

This test is used to evaluate and monitor many different heart conditions.

Echocardiogram – children

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) – children; Echocardiogram – transthoracic – children; Doppler of the heart – children; Surface echo – children

An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It is used with children to help diagnose defects of the heart that are present at birth (). The picture is more detailed than a regular x-ray image. An echocardiogram also does not expose children to radiation.

How the Test is Performed

Your child’s health care provider may do the test in a clinic, in a hospital, or at an  center. Echocardiography in children is done either with the child lying down or lying in their parent’s lap. This approach can help comfort them and keep them still.

For each of these tests, a trained sonographer performs the test. A cardiologist interprets the results.

TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TTE)

TTE is the type of echocardiogram that most children will have.

  • The sonographer puts gel on the child’s ribs near the in the area around the heart. A hand-held instrument, called a transducer, is pressed on the gel on the child’s chest and directed toward the heart. This device releases high-frequency sound waves.
  • The transducer picks up the echo of sound waves coming back from the heart and blood vessels.
  • The echocardiography machine converts these impulses into moving pictures of the heart. Still pictures are also taken.
  • Pictures can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
  • The entire procedure lasts for about 20 to 40 minutes.

The test allows the provider to see the heart beating. It also shows the heart valves and other structures.

Sometimes, the lungs, ribs, or body tissues may prevent the sound waves from producing a clear picture of the heart. In this case, the sonographer may inject a small amount of liquid (contrast dye) through an IV to better see the inside of the heart.

TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TEE)

TEE is another type of echocardiogram children can have. The test is done with the child lying under sedation .

  • The sonographer will numb the back of your child’s throat and insert a small tube into the child’s (esophagus). The end of the tube contains a device to send out sound waves.
  • The sound waves reflect off the structures in the heart and are displayed on a screen as images of the heart and blood vessels.
  • Because the esophagus is right behind the heart, this method is used to get clearer pictures of the heart.

How to Prepare for the Test

You can take these steps to prepare your child before the procedure:

  • Do not allow your child to eat or drink anything prior to having a TEE.
  • Do not use any cream or oil on your child before the exam.
  • Explain the test in detail to older children so they understand that they should remain still during the test.
  • Younger children less than 4 years of age may need medicine (sedation) to help them stay still for clearer pictures.
  • Give children older than 4 a toy to hold, or have them watch videos to help them stay calm and still during the test.

How the Test will Feel

  • Your child will need to remove any clothes from the waist up and lie flat on the exam table.
  • Electrodes will be placed on your child’s chest to monitor the heart beat.
  • A gel is applied on the child’s chest. It may be cold. A transducer head will be pressed over the gel. The child might feel pressure due to the transducer.
  • Younger children may feel restless during the test. Parents should try to keep the child calm during the test.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is done to examine the function, heart valves, major blood vesssls, and chambers of a child’s heart from outside of the body.

  • Your child may have signs or symptoms of heart problems.
  • These may include , poor growth, leg , heart murmur, bluish color around the lips when crying, chest pains, unexplained fever, or germs growing in a blood culture test.

Your child may have an increased risk for heart problems due to an abnormal genetic test or other birth defects that are present.

The provider may recommend a TEE if:

  • The TTE is unclear. Unclear results may be due to the shape of the child’s chest, lung disease, or excess body fat.
  • An area of the heart needs to be looked at in more detail.

Normal Results

A normal result means that there are no defects in the heart valves or chambers and there is normal heart wall movement.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal echocardiogram in a child can mean many things. Some abnormal findings are very minor and do not pose major risks. Others are signs of serious heart disease. In this case, the child will need more tests by a specialist. It is very important to talk about the results of the echocardiogram with your child’s provider.

The echocardiogram can help detect:

  • Abnormal heart valves
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Birth defects of the heart
  • Inflammation ( pericarditis ) or fluid in the sac around the heart (pericardial effusion)
  • Infection on or around the heart valves
  • High blood pressure in the blood vessels to the lungs
  • How well the heart can pump
  • Source of a blood clot after a stroke or TIA

Risks

TTE in children does not have any known risk.

TEE is an invasive procedure. There may be some risks with this test. Talk with your provider about risks associated with this test.

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Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
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Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
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  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
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Tests to discuss

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Medicine safety and first-aid guide

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Safe first steps

  • Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
  • In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
  • Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

  • For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
  • Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

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Get urgent help if

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Tests to discuss with doctor
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  • CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
  • Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
  • Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: What Is Echocardiogram – Indications, Procedures, Results

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
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Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.