Echocardiogram: What This Heart Ultrasound Shows Your Doctor
October 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Medically reviewed by the physicians of Gilead Heart & Vascular · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01
An echocardiogram is a painless ultrasound of the heart that shows its structure and motion in real time, revealing things an EKG alone can't, like valve function and pumping strength.
What an Echocardiogram Actually Does
An echocardiogram, often just called an "echo," uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. Unlike an EKG, which records the heart's electrical activity, an echo shows the heart's actual structure and motion: the size of its chambers, the thickness of its walls, how well the valves open and close, and how efficiently blood is being pumped with each beat.
It's completely painless and involves no radiation. A technician moves a small handheld device called a transducer across your chest, and the images appear in real time on a monitor.
What It Can Detect
Echocardiograms are one of the most versatile tools in cardiology. They can identify valve problems, an enlarged heart, weakened heart muscle, fluid around the heart, and areas of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood flow. They're also used to measure ejection fraction, a key number that reflects how well the heart is pumping overall.
How It's Different From Other Heart Tests
An EKG captures electrical signals over a few seconds and is excellent for catching rhythm problems, but it doesn't show the heart's physical structure. A stress test evaluates how the heart performs under exertion. An echocardiogram fills a different gap: it's the clearest non-invasive way to actually see how the heart is built and how it's moving, at rest or, in some cases, combined with a stress test for a more complete picture.
When Your Doctor Might Order One
Common reasons include unexplained shortness of breath, a heart murmur detected during a physical exam, swelling in the legs or abdomen, or monitoring a previously diagnosed heart condition over time. It's also frequently used as a baseline test for patients with risk factors for heart disease.
Types of Echocardiograms
Most echocardiograms are done externally, with a transducer moved across the chest, but there are a few variations. A stress echocardiogram combines the imaging with exercise or medication to see how the heart performs under exertion. A transesophageal echocardiogram, used less often, involves a small probe passed through the esophagus for a closer view of certain structures. For the large majority of patients, though, a standard external echo provides all the detail your doctor needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an echocardiogram use radiation?
No. It uses sound waves, the same technology as a pregnancy ultrasound, so there's no radiation exposure.
How long does an echocardiogram take?
A standard echocardiogram usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
What's the difference between an echocardiogram and an EKG?
An EKG records the heart's electrical activity; an echocardiogram shows its physical structure and how well it's pumping. Many patients need both.
Related Reading
Want to be seen soon and skip the wait at a place close to home? Gilead Heart & Vascular performs echocardiograms in-office at each of our Arizona locations, so you're not sent elsewhere for basic diagnostic imaging, and your own doctor reviews the results with you.
Have a question about your heart health?
Talk it through with your doctor at any Gilead Heart & Vascular location.