An echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound (test that uses sound waves) to make pictures of your heart as it beats. It helps your care team check your heart’s size, shape, and how well it pumps.
If you were referred for an echocardiogram, you are not alone. This is a common test used in both routine checkups and advanced cardiac care. It gives your team more detail to guide treatment and support long-term heart health.
Below are the specific types of echoes your team at Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute may use.
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
This is the most common kind of echo. A trained technician moves a small device called a transducer over your chest. The device sends sound waves into your body and listens for the echoes that bounce back from your heart.
What to expect
- You lie on a bed or exam table.
- A gel is put on your skin to help the test work better.
- The test is painless, but you may feel light pressure from the transducer.
Exercise Echocardiogram
Sometimes an echo is done right before and right after exercise. This helps show how well blood flows to your heart muscle when your heart is working harder than usual.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
A TEE is an echo done from inside the body. A small ultrasound camera is placed on the end of a thin tube. The tube goes into your mouth and down your throat into your esophagus (the food pipe). Since the esophagus sits close to the heart, this test can give very clear pictures.
What to expect
- You get a numbing spray in the back of your throat
- You may get medicine to help you relax and feel comfortable
- The care team gently guides the tube into place and takes pictures
Why a TEE may be needed
- To get a closer look at heart valves
- To check the upper chambers of the heart (atria)
- To look for injury after chest trauma when fast answers matter
- To see the aorta and other large blood vessels near the heart
Why an Echocardiogram Is Used
- Check how well your heart pumps
- Look for valve problems
- Find the cause of symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling
- Follow a known heart condition over time
Your Results and Next Steps
Your doctor will review the images and talk with you about what they mean. If you need more testing or treatment, we will explain your options and help you plan next steps.
Learn More
If you have questions about echocardiography, contact your primary care provider. If you need a primary care provider, call the Well Connected Hotline at 918-488-6688.