What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram or ‘echo’ is a scan that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to produce pictures of the heart.
It gives information about the structure and function of your heart. It is painless and has no side effects.
What does it involve?
The echocardiogram is usually done by a Sonographer. Results are reviewed by a patient’s cardiologist before being shared at a later date.
Sometimes stickers will be attached to a child’s chest and connected to the echo machine to monitor the heart rate.
An ultrasound probe covered in a small amount of gel will be placed on the chest and moved around to get different images.
There may be sounds coming from the machine that represent the blood flow through the heart.
Are there any preparations I can do before the echocardiogram?
You could talk to your child about the scan beforehand and prepare them for what is going to happen, this can reduce anxiety for them. There is also an echocardiogram episode of ‘Get Well Soon’ on CBeebies that you might want to show your child.