echocardiogram

Lubricating jelly is rubbed on the chest, and a probe (recorder) is placed on the chest. A pulse of high frequency sound is then passed through the skin.

The probe picks up the echoes reflected from various parts of the heart and shows them as an echocardiogram - a picture on the screen.

What can an echocardiogram show

The echocardiogram can give accurate information about the pumping action of the heart, and about the structure of the heart and the valves.

It can be a useful test if you have recently had a heart attack .  It is also used routinely to assess people with Congenital heart Disease 

An echo is especially useful for diagnosing heart disease in newborn babies and infants as it is painless and easy to do.