What is an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram, often referred to as an ECHO or cardiac ultrasound, is a sonogram of the heart. It allows doctors to see the heart beating, and to see many of the structures of the heart. A trained sonographer performs the test which is then interpreted by the cardiologist. A transducer (an instrument that transmits high-frequency sound waves) is placed on your ribs near the breast bone and is directed toward the heart.