Echocardiogram
What Is a Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram (often called an "echo") is a safe, painless ultrasound test that creates moving, real-time images of your heart. It uses high-frequency sound waves that bounce off different parts of your heart, producing detailed pictures on a monitor.
This scan allows our specialists to thoroughly assess your heart's structure and how well it's functioning — including the size of the chambers, the condition of the valves, and how effectively your heart is pumping blood. At Ultrasound Ireland, we perform Transthoracic Echocardiograms (TTE), the most common and standard type.
What We Assess With This Scan
- Heart chambers (atria and ventricles)
- Heart valves (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary)
- Heart walls and muscle
- Pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart)
- Pumping function: How well your heart is pumping blood (ejection fraction)
- Blood flow: Movement of blood through the heart chambers and valves
This scan cannot assess:
- Coronary arteries directly (CT angiography or angiogram may be needed)
- Heart rhythm issues (ECG is needed for this)
Why You Might Need This Scan
Common symptoms:
- •Shortness of breath
- •Chest pain or discomfort
- •Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- •Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- •Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- •Dizziness or fainting
- •A heart murmur detected by your doctor
Conditions we assess:
- •Heart valve disorders (leaky or narrowed valves)
- •Heart failure (reduced pumping function)
- •Damage from a previous heart attack
- •Cardiomyopathy (diseases of the heart muscle)
- •Congenital heart defects
- •Pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)
What to Expect
Before Your Scan
No special preparation is needed for a standard echocardiogram. You can eat, drink, and take your medications as normal unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Preparation checklist:
- Wear comfortable clothing (you'll be asked to undress from the waist up)
- Avoid applying lotions or oils to your chest on the day of the scan
- Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time
During the Scan
You'll be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a gown. Small, sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm during the scan. You'll lie on an examination couch, usually on your back or left side. A water-based gel is applied to your chest to help the sound waves travel. The sonographer gently presses the ultrasound probe against your chest, moving it to different positions. You may be asked to change position or hold your breath briefly at times. The entire procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes.
After Your Scan
The gel is wiped off, and you can get dressed. You can return to your normal activities immediately — there are no restrictions or downtime.
Results & Next Steps
Your echocardiogram is reviewed by a consultant cardiologist, who prepares a comprehensive report. This report is sent to your referring doctor within 3 working days. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean for your health.
Pricing
Price: €370 (Medical Card: €350)
Cancellation: We require 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our experienced team is available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.