What does an echocardiogram show?
An echocardiogram, or echo, uses ultrasound to make moving pictures of the heart. It can show chamber size and pumping function. Doppler measurements help assess blood flow through the chambers and valves. Source: NHLBI: heart tests and echocardiography (opens in a new tab).
How is an echo different from an ECG?
An ECG, also called an EKG, records the heart’s electrical activity. An echo uses sound waves to show heart structures and movement. They answer different questions, so your clinician may use both in an evaluation. Source: NHLBI: heart tests and echocardiography (opens in a new tab).
Where should I start reading?
For your conversation, make three short notes rather than trying to diagnose yourself from a table of numbers:
- The question: why did your treating team order the echo?
- The written conclusion: copy the terms you would like explained, keeping the full report for context.
- The next step: find the visit note or message explaining what your clinician recommends.
This is a way to prepare questions. It is not a method for independently interpreting the scan.
Does an abnormal echo mean a serious problem?
Not necessarily. Echo findings range from minor abnormalities to significant heart disease. The meaning depends on what was found and your circumstances. Your treating clinician should explain the result and whether follow-up is needed. Source: MedlinePlus: echocardiogram (opens in a new tab).
What do TTE and TEE mean?
TTE is an echo performed with a probe on the chest. TEE uses a probe in the esophagus, behind the heart, to obtain a closer view. Your team chooses the approach based on the information it needs. Source: MedlinePlus: echocardiogram (opens in a new tab).
Questions to take to your appointment
- Which finding answers the question that prompted the test?
- Does the report describe a valve problem, a pumping problem, or both?
- Which terms in the conclusion matter for my next step?
- Is anything still uncertain?
- Who will explain the follow-up plan and its timing?
If your question concerns a valve procedure, keep the echo report with the valve-clinic note. For an educational review, we explain the written reports you already have; we do not reinterpret the ultrasound images.
Want help understanding your own records?
Our $350 educational review focuses on one cardiology question and up to 40 relevant pages. It includes a 30-minute conversation, a written explanation, and questions for your treating team. Available to eligible adults in New York.
Use the records checklist