US Medical Term · tests
Echocardiogram
Ecocardiograma
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Echocardiogram |
| Spanish (Español) | Ecocardiograma |
| Chinese (中文) | 心臟超音波 |
| Korean (한국어) | 심장 초음파 (심에코) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Siêu âm tim |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Echocardiogram |
| Portuguese (Português) | Ecocardiograma |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจคลื่นเสียงสะท้อนหัวใจ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 心エコー検査 |
What it means
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that creates moving images of your heart's chambers, valves, walls, and blood flow. You will lie on an exam table while a technician places electrodes on your chest and applies gel before moving a transducer over the heart area. The test typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and is painless. A standard transthoracic echo is done on the outside of your chest. A transesophageal echocardiogram involves inserting a probe down the throat and requires sedation. Echo tests show how well your heart pumps blood, detect valve problems, and identify structural abnormalities. No radiation is used. You can usually eat and take medications normally before the test.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Can I take my heart medications before my echocardiogram?
¿Puedo tomar mis medicamentos para el corazón antes del ecocardiograma?
What is the difference between a regular echo and a stress echo?
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un ecocardiograma normal y uno de estrés?
Will the echocardiogram show if my heart valves are working properly?
¿El ecocardiograma mostrará si mis válvulas cardíacas funcionan bien?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026