Echocardiogram is an imaging technique using ultrasound to obtain images of the heart. It is a very useful tool which can be used to assess cardiac function. 

Echocardiogram can be utilised to assess heart chamber size and cardiac function. This is particularly useful in assessing heart function in the following scenarios:

• Investigating shortness of breath
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Cardiac valve dysfunction/cardiac murmur
• Congenital heart disease

  
Echocardiogram is usually performed by a qualified technician using a specialised bedside echo machine. It usually takes 30 minutes and requires no particular preparation. The patient needs to be able to lie on his/her left hand side for the duration of the test.