Echocardiogram
Also Known As: Echo, Cardiac Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging of your heart
Echocardiography uses sound waves to evaluate your heart. At Kootenai Health and Heart Clinics, our diagnostic cardiologists use this test to help assess heart structure, function, and blood flow as part of your cardiac evaluation.
Non-Invasive Test
Real-Time Heart Imaging
Advanced Imaging Available
Heart & Vascular Diagnostics
Explore the full range of heart and vascular testing and how each test supports your evaluation.
Understanding Echocardiograms
Conditions We Evaluate
Echocardiography is used to assess a wide range of heart conditions, including:
- Structural Heart Disease
- Valvular Disease
- Chamber Abnormalities
- Pericardial Disease
- Pulmonary & Vascular
- Ischemic Heart Disease
Types of Echocardiograms
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) – The most common type of echocardiogram. A small handheld device called a transducer is moved across your chest to create images of your heart. Sound waves bounce off the heart and return through the device to form images on a monitor. This is a pain-free test that typically takes about an hour.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) – The transducer is passed down the esophagus to capture clearer images of the heart. Because it’s closer to the heart, it can provide more detailed views.
Stress Echocardiogram – Images are taken before and after your heart is stressed through carefully monitored exercise or medication. This helps check how your heart works under strain and can identify concerns like coronary artery disease. For more information about how stress testing works and how to prepare, see Cardiac Stress Testing. (Link to Cardiac Stress Testing Page).
Pediatric Echocardiogram – Echocardiograms can also be performed for children to evaluate heart structure and function.
What to Expect
Your echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound exam performed by a trained cardiac sonographer.
- During the Test – You’ll lie on an exam table while the technologist uses a handheld probe and gel to capture images of your heart. You may be asked to change positions or briefly hold your breath to improve image quality.
- Exam Duration – The test typically takes up to 60 minutes.
- IV Placement (if needed) – Sometimes, we use contrast to enhance image clarity. This requires a small IV, usually placed in your arm. The contrast is safe and helps us better visualize heart structures.
- Afterward – The IV is removed immediately, and you can return to normal activities.
Please let us know if you have any allergies or concerns—your comfort and safety are our priority.
Advanced imaging available when needed
Strain imaging, including Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS), may be used during your echocardiogram to detect early changes in your heart muscle—often before standard measurements show a problem.
Typically used in situations like:
- Cancer treatment – to monitor how your heart is handling chemotherapy
- Heart failure – to catch early changes, even when standard results look normal
- Aortic stenosis – to spot early strain on the heart and help guide timing of treatment
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – to better understand how different areas of the heart are working and assess risk
