Yes — an echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan specifically of the heart. The terms are interchangeable. It should not be confused with a standard cardiac ECG, which records the heart's electrical activity rather than producing images of its structure.

No fasting is required for a standard transthoracic echocardiogram. You can eat, drink and take your regular medications as normal before your appointment. If a transoesophageal echo (TOE) is required — which is a different, more specialised procedure — fasting would be necessary, but our team would advise you of this when booking.

Your echo will assess: the size and thickness of all four heart chambers; left ventricular ejection fraction (a measure of pumping efficiency); the structure and function of all four heart valves; the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart); the aortic root; and blood flow patterns using colour Doppler technology.

A standard echocardiogram is painless. The probe is pressed gently but firmly against the chest wall, which may feel slightly uncomfortable in certain positions, but no needles, injections, or invasive procedures are involved. The gel applied to the skin is cold initially but otherwise unobtrusive.

A standard resting echocardiogram assesses the heart at rest. A stress echocardiogram additionally assesses the heart under physical exertion (exercise bike or treadmill) or pharmacological stress, specifically to detect ischaemia (reduced blood supply during increased demand). If a stress echo is clinically indicated, please mention this when booking and we will advise on availability.