An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of the heart. Sound waves bounce off the tissue and the echoes are captured to produce detailed images of the heart. There are several types of echocardiograms, but the most common involves a technician putting gel on your chest and then pressing a transducer to your skin. A doppler echocardiogram may be used to measure real-time blood flow and direction in your heart to detect flow issues that wouldn’t show in a traditional ultrasound. If your doctor suspects arterial blockages, you may also be given a stress echocardiogram in which images are taken immediately before and then immediately after strenuous exercise.
