Echocardiography is a method of studying the heart's structure and function by analyzing sound waves bounced off the heart and recorded by an electronic sensor placed on the chest. A computer processes the information to produce a one-, two- or three-dimensional moving picture that shows how the heart and heart valves are functioning.

An echocardiogram, or "echo," is a painless, portable procedure that can be performed in a physician's office or the hospital. It can be quickly used in routine and emergency situations, as well as in outpatient appointments.

When the ultrasound waves pass through the chest wall, the procedure is called a surface echo. A transesophageal echo consists of ultrasound waves passing through the esophagus.

Echocardiography provides an accurate assessment of blood flow through the major vessels, heart chambers and heart valves.

In most circumstances, echocardiography examinations have replaced invasive procedures for the diagnosis or monitoring of heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

Echocardiography is extremely safe. There are no known risks from the clinical use of ultrasound during this type of testing.