When it comes to your heart, every beat matters. At Kent Family Medical, we believe that understanding how your heart works is the first step to keeping it healthy.
That’s why we use one of the most valuable tools in modern cardiology – the echocardiogram – to look inside the heart using ultrasound.
This safe and painless test lets us see your heart in real time: the way it moves, pumps, and pushes blood through its valves and vessels.
It can reveal early signs of disease long before symptoms become severe, helping us treat problems sooner and more effectively.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what an echocardiogram is, why we might recommend it, exactly what happens during the test, and how to prepare.
We’ll also answer common questions about sedation, preparation, and what the results mean, so you know exactly what to expect when you come to us for your scan.
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, often called an “echo”, is a specialised heart scan that uses high-frequency sound waves – the same safe technology used in pregnancy ultrasounds – to create live, moving images of your heart.
During the scan, a small handheld device called a transducer is moved over your chest. It sends sound waves into your body, which bounce off the structures inside your heart. These echoes are captured and turned into detailed pictures on a monitor. We can watch your heart beating in real time and see how blood is flowing through it.
The most common form is the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). In this type, the probe is placed directly on your chest. It’s non-invasive, doesn’t require needles, and there’s no exposure to radiation.
At Kent Family Medical, echocardiograms are carried out by highly trained clinicians using state-of-the-art equipment. This ensures we get the clearest possible images to help us detect even subtle changes in heart function.
Here we help you understand the differences between an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram.
What Is an Echocardiogram Used to Diagnose?
An echocardiogram helps us see how your heart is built and how it behaves in real time. That means we can diagnose a wide range of conditions by looking at heart muscle movement, valve function, and blood flow patterns. Common diagnoses include:
1) Heart valve disease
An echo shows if a valve is narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation) and how severe it is.
We can see thickening or calcification of the valve, how wide it opens, and whether blood is flowing backwards. This is crucial for conditions such as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, and for deciding if medication, monitoring, or a procedure is needed.
2) Cardiomyopathies (heart muscle disorders)
We assess the size and thickness of the heart chambers and how strongly they contract. This helps diagnose:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged, weakened heart chambers).
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (abnormally thick heart muscle, sometimes with outflow obstruction).
- Restrictive patterns where the heart muscle is stiff and doesn’t fill well.
3) Heart failure (reduced pumping or filling)
Echocardiography measures the heart’s pumping strength (often described as the ejection fraction) and how well the heart relaxes between beats (diastolic function). It also shows if fluid pressure is building up in the lungs and whether the right side of the heart is coping.
4) Damage after a heart attack (ischaemic heart disease)
If a coronary artery has been blocked in the past, parts of the heart muscle may move less or not at all. Echo reveals these wall‑motion abnormalities, helping us confirm previous injury, assess recovery, and plan further care.
5) Congenital (from birth) heart conditions
Structural differences such as holes in the heart (e.g., atrial or ventricular septal defects), abnormal connections, or unusual valve anatomy can be identified and monitored in both children and adults.
6) Endocarditis (infection of the heart lining/valves)
We look for vegetations (infection-related growths) on the valves, new leaks, or complications such as abscesses. A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) is often used here for extra detail and may require a specialist centre to undertake this.
7) Pericardial disease (the heart’s lining)
Echo can detect pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) and signs of cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency where pressure from fluid prevents the heart from filling properly. It also helps assess constrictive pericarditis.
8) Pulmonary hypertension and right-heart strain
By measuring blood‑flow velocities, we can estimate pressures in the lungs’ circulation and see how the right ventricle is coping. This guides further testing and treatment where breathlessness is unexplained.
9) Aorta and aortic root problems
Echo can measure the aortic root and ascending aorta to screen for enlargement (aneurysm) and monitor known dilatation over time.
10) Intracardiac clots and masses (select cases)
Echocardiography can sometimes identify blood clots (thrombus) inside the heart (for example, after a large heart attack or in certain rhythm problems) and distinguish them from other masses. TOE may be recommended for a closer look if needed.
Important: An echocardiogram is powerful, but it’s one piece of the picture. Some conditions need additional tests (e.g., ECG, blood tests, CT/MRI, or stress imaging) to confirm a diagnosis and plan treatment. At Kent Family Medical, we’ll explain exactly what your results show and whether any further investigations or onward referrals are recommended.
Why We Might Recommend an Echocardiogram
There are many reasons we may advise an echocardiogram as part of your care.
Sometimes it’s because you’re experiencing symptoms that could be linked to heart problems. Other times, it’s to monitor a known condition or check how well a treatment is working.
Common reasons include:
- Shortness of breath or chest discomfort – These can be signs of reduced heart function or problems with the way your heart pumps blood.
- Irregular heartbeat (palpitations) – An echo can help us see if changes in your heart’s rhythm are linked to structural problems.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen – This can occur if the heart is not pumping efficiently, leading to fluid build-up.
We also use echocardiograms to diagnose and monitor specific conditions:
- Heart valve disease – Valves act like gates that control blood flow through your heart. An echo shows if they are narrowed (stenosis), leaky (regurgitation), or not opening and closing properly.
- Cardiomyopathy – This refers to changes in the heart muscle itself, such as thickening, stiffening, or enlargement, which can reduce its ability to pump blood.
- Previous heart attack damage – A past blockage in the coronary arteries may leave areas of heart muscle weakened or scarred.
- Heart failure – When the heart can’t pump blood as effectively as it should, an echo helps measure its pumping strength and guides treatment decisions.
- Congenital heart disease – These are structural heart defects present from birth. An echo can reveal these in adults and children alike.
- Endocarditis – A serious infection affecting the heart’s inner lining and valves. An echo can help identify any damage or infection-related growths. This condition will usually be managed by a hospital team.
In many cases, having an echocardiogram early means we can detect problems at a stage where treatment is simpler, more effective, and less invasive.
How to Prepare for Your Echocardiogram
For most patients at Kent Family Medical, preparing for an echocardiogram is very simple – in fact, for the standard transthoracic echocardiogram, there’s no special preparation at all.
You can eat and drink as normal, and continue taking your regular medication unless we’ve advised otherwise.
That said, a few tips can help make your appointment run smoothly:
- Wear comfortable clothing – You’ll need to remove clothing from the waist up, so a loose-fitting top that’s easy to take off is best. We’ll provide a gown for privacy and comfort.
- Avoid skin lotions or oils on the chest – These can make it harder for the ultrasound probe to make good contact.
- Bring a list of your medicines – It’s useful for our clinicians to know exactly what you’re taking, including any over-the-counter supplements.
- Allow enough time – The scan itself can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes, so plan your day so you don’t feel rushed.
- You can bring someone with you, and they are welcome to sit in with you during the echo.
- We will offer a chaperone; please do let us know if you would like this.
What Happens During the Test
When you arrive for your echocardiogram at Kent Family Medical, our team will guide you through each step so you know exactly what’s happening. The process is straightforward, painless, and designed to make you feel at ease from start to finish.
Here’s what to expect:
- Welcome and explanation: You’ll be shown to a private examination room. Your clinician will explain the purpose of the scan, what it involves, and answer any last-minute questions you may have.
- Getting ready: You’ll need to remove clothing from the waist up – we provide a gown for your comfort and privacy. We will offer a chaperone; please do let us know if you would like this.
- Attaching heart rhythm sensors: Small sticky patches (electrodes) will be placed on your chest. These connect to an ECG machine so we can record your heart rhythm at the same time as the scan.
- Applying ultrasound gel: A water-based gel will be spread across your chest. This might feel cool at first and helps the ultrasound probe make clear contact with the skin.
- Capturing the images: You’ll be asked to lie on your left side for most of the scan. The sonographer will move the handheld probe across your chest, capturing images from different angles. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound – that’s just the blood flowing through your heart and vessels.
- Monitoring and adjustments: The sonographer may ask you to take deep breaths or briefly hold your breath. This can help capture clearer images.
- Finishing up: Once the scan is complete, the gel will be wiped away and the electrodes removed. You can get dressed straight away.
The entire test usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on what we’re assessing. As there’s no sedation for a standard echocardiogram, you’ll be able to go home or back to work immediately afterwards.
What Happens After the Echocardiogram
Once your echocardiogram is complete, you can get dressed and carry on with your day as normal. For a standard transthoracic scan, there’s no recovery period and no restrictions on driving, eating, or returning to work.
At Kent Family Medical, your scan images and heart rhythm data are reviewed by an experienced clinician. We carefully assess:
- The size, shape, and pumping strength of your heart.
- How well the heart valves are opening and closing.
- The pattern of blood flow through the heart chambers and major vessels.
- Any signs of thickening, weakening, scarring, or infection.
Once we have interpreted the images, we’ll either:
- Discuss the results with you straight away if they’re available immediately, or
- Arrange a follow-up appointment to explain your results in detail and outline any recommended next steps.
If the scan shows that further tests are needed – such as blood tests, an ECG, or a referral for a different type of imaging – we’ll arrange these promptly, if you wish, and guide you through the process.
Final Thoughts
An echocardiogram is one of the most valuable tools we have for understanding your heart’s health.
It’s quick, safe, and non-invasive, yet it can reveal an incredible amount about how your heart is working – often before problems cause obvious symptoms.
At Kent Family Medical, every scan is performed and reviewed by experienced clinicians using advanced ultrasound technology.
We take the time to explain your results clearly, answer your questions, and ensure you feel confident about your next steps.
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness, chest discomfort, or irregular heartbeats – or if you simply want peace of mind about your heart health – we’re here to help.
Contact us today to arrange your echocardiogram and take the next step towards a clearer picture of your heart.