Where Can I Get an Echocardiogram?

You can get an echocardiogram (echo) privately at any of our nationwide clinics. With a private echocardiogram, you can get expert insights into your heart health.

If you’re asking, ‘where can I get an echocardiogram?’, the chances are you’ll also be wondering ‘what can an echocardiogram show?’ and what to expect when you have one. Read on to find out.

What is an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram or heart echo is an ultrasound scan of your heart. Ultrasound uses harmless, high frequency sound waves to create live, detailed images of the inside of your body.

The sound waves produced are used to create real-time images of your heart. An echocardiogram shows the structures of your heart (ie heart chambers, heart walls and heart valves), its surrounding blood vessels, and blood flow through it.

The most common type of echocardiogram is called a transthoracic echocardiogram, which involves passing an ultrasound probe over the chest.

When to have an echocardiogram

If you’re concerned about your heart health, you may want to have an echocardiogram test. Your doctor may also recommend one to investigate symptoms including: 

• Breathlessness

• Chest pain

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Fatigue

• Lightheadedness
  
  

Benefits of an echocardiogram

Comfort

Unlike an MRI scan or CT scan, you are not slid into a machine for an electrocardiogram. Instead, a small handheld probe is moved over your chest.

You also don’t need to remain perfectly still during your scan as an electrocardiogram is designed to create live images. For MRI and CT scans, you must keep still to ensure the images created are clear. 

No radiation or strong magnets

Unlike a CT scan, an echocardiogram does not use any radiation, so it’s safe for pregnant women.

An echocardiogram also doesn’t use the powerful magnets needed for MRI. This means it’s safe if you’ve got metal implants that can’t be removed, which aren’t compatible with MRI machines. 

Non-invasive and painless

Unlike a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE), a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a non-invasive procedure as the probe is not passed into your body.

Sometimes, gentle pressure may need to be applied using the probe; while this may cause some mild discomfort, it’s not painful.

Echocardiogram locations near you 

Our private echocardiogram scans are available nationwide across the UK. 

Why choose a private echocardiogram?

With a private echocardiogram scan at Vista Health, you can book your appointment at a time that suits you. You don’t need a referral from a health professional — simply self-refer online.

You can also avoid lengthy NHS waiting lists. With our priority service, you can have your echocardiogram within 7 days.

Your scan will be performed by a highly trained cardiac physiologist who will create a detailed report of any findings. We aim to deliver all reports within 3 working days, so you can avoid necessary waiting and worry.

Our team of cardiac physiologists are all overseen by an experienced consultant cardiologist, ensuring you receive expert insights. 

Preparing for your echocardiogram

In most cases, you can continue to take your medications as usual before your echocardiogram unless you are taking certain heart medications. Your care team will advise on if and when to temporarily stop taking these medications. 

For the 24 hours leading up to your scan, avoid consuming anything containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola. You can drink alcohol.

On the day of your scan, avoid smoking anything containing nicotine. Both caffeine and nicotine affect your heart and can alter your echocardiogram results.

Roughly 4 hours before your scan, you will need to fast ie not eat or drink anything other than water. 

What to expect during Your echocardiogram procedure

When you arrive for your echocardiogram, you will be asked to remove the clothes from the upper half of your body, change into a hospital gown and lie down on the examination table.

The first part of your appointment involves setting up a simple electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a test that measures your heart’s rhythm (electrical activity) using 3 sticky sensors (electrodes) attached to your chest. It provides additional information on your heart alongside your echo to create a more complete picture of your heart health.

Sometimes a harmless substance called contrast agent (dye) is injected into your hand or arm before the test to make images clearer. The detailed images produced help to assess the strength of your heart’s pumping function and to check for blood clots. This is called a contrast echocardiogram. If you have a contrast echocardiogram you will be monitored carefully to make sure you do not develop an allergic reaction to the contrast agent.

For all types of echocardiogram, you’ll be asked to lie on your left side. A gel will be applied to your chest so when the ultrasound probe comes into contact with your skin, there are no air gaps. Air can disturb the path of the ultrasound waves.

The ultrasound probe will be passed across your chest. The sound waves will enter your body and be reflected back as they encounter boundaries between different tissues or areas of tissue with different densities.

These reflected sound waves are called echoes and are detected by the ultrasound probe. Over 1,000 echoes can be detected every second. This information is sent to a computer and turned into live greyscale images of your heart.

Your electrocardiogram will take 20–40 minutes. 

What can an echocardiogram detect?

An echocardiogram can help reach an accurate diagnosis for a range of heart defects and heart abnormalities. This includes: 

• Coronary heart disease and congenital heart disease

• Fluid accumulating around the heart (pericardial effusion)

• Heart infections

• Heart failure 

• Heart valve disease and valve defects

• Thickening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

It’s also used after a heart attack to assess the extent of the damage caused. 

Next steps after your echocardiogram results

At Vista Health, we aim to deliver your echocardiogram results within 3 working days. This report can also be sent to your NHS GP.

Alternatively, you can book a GP consultation with one of our experienced Vista Health GPs. They will discuss what your results mean for you, including whether you need any further tests or a treatment plan.  

Book your echocardiogram today

If you’re concerned about a family history of heart problems or worried about your heart health, get clarity with a private echocardiogram at one of our nationwide clinics.