An echocardiogram is a very useful test that allows your doctor to diagnose heart problems non-invasively by using sound waves to create pictures of your heart.

Echocardiograms can be useful for:

• Detecting blood clots, masses and tumors that are located inside the heart.
• Gauging the severity of valve problems, to determine if a valve can be repaired.
• Detecting infection of heart valves, showing the accumulation of infected material.
• Providing a detailed analysis of congenital heart abnormalities.