Echocardiogram scan

It is important to note that the price of an echocardiogram will differ depending on which hospital you have the test at. 

The prices listed above are the cost of an individual echocardiogram. If the test shows you need treatment for a heart condition, we usually offer a fixed-price package for said treatment. Your echocardiogram will be charged separately from this treatment.

We will let you know at the time exactly how much the test will cost and when you’ll need to pay.

If you have private health insurance, these tests will usually be covered by your policy. We work with all major providers of private medical insurance.

An echocardiogram can help diagnose and monitor several heart conditions by checking the structure of your heart and how blood flows through its surrounding blood vessels. The test can help detect:

A heart attack
When the blood supply to your heart is blocked.

Heart failure
When your heart fails to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.

Endocarditis
When you have an infection in the lining of your heart, which damages your heart valves and can lead to heart failure.

Congenital heart disease
This is an umbrella term to describe a range of causes that affect the way your heart functions.

Blood clots
These occur when certain gel-like collections of blood build up in your veins or arteries, causing blockages to your blood flow. 

These conditions come with varying symptoms. You might be offered an echocardiogram if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Chest tightness
• A racing heartbeat
• A slow heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Swelling in your legs

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

This is the most commonly performed echocardiogram. During a TTE, you will be asked to lie down on a hospital bed and remove the upper half of your clothing. Your consultant or physiologist will attach several sticky sensors (known as electrodes) to your chest. These are connected to a machine that monitors your heart rhythm while the test is being performed. 

Your healthcare professional will apply a lubricating gel to your chest or directly to the ultrasound probe. You will position yourself on your left side and the probe will be moved across your chest. The monitor will display images of the inside of your heart and its surrounding blood vessels. You will not hear the sound waves produced by the probe, but you might hear a soft swishing noise during the scan. This is the sound of the blood flowing through your heart and being detected by the probe.

The test will usually take between 30 and 60 minutes.

A stress echocardiogram

A stress echocardiogram is performed in a similar way to a TTE (through the use of electrodes attached to your chest). The difference is that it's done during or just after a period of exercise at varying intensity levels. You will be asked to exercise on a treadmill or exercise bike while the test is being performed. The intensity of this exercise routine will vary as the images of your heart are shared on the monitor connected to the electrodes. If you cannot exercise for a stress test due to mobility issues, you might be offered a medication that makes your heart work harder for a short period of time instead. This is called dobutamine. Speak with your consultant about whether this is the right option for you. 

Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

During this test, you will be asked to lie down on a hospital bed. A local numbing spray (anaesthetic) will be applied to the back of your throat and a probe will be passed down your oesophagus and sometimes into your stomach. You might be offered a sedative for this procedure, which is a medication that calms you down and helps ease any discomfort during a procedure.

You will be asked to swallow as the probe is inserted in your throat to move it down in your stomach. The test is not painful, but it might cause some discomfort. The sedative will help relieve this. The probe is connected to a monitor that displays images of the inside of your heart as the test is being performed. These pictures are continuously updated to show the movement of your heart. You can read more about how to prepare for TOE below.

A contrast echocardiogram

During a contrast echocardiogram, a harmless substance called a contrast agent will be injected into your bloodstream before the echocardiogram is carried out. This shows up clearly during the scan, helping build a clearer image of your heart. 

The type of echocardiogram you have will depend on your symptoms and how detailed the images need to be to diagnose or monitor your condition. If your doctor or cardiac physiologist is unable to find the cause of your symptoms through a TTE, they might use a contrast agent to provide clearer image of certain parts of your heart, or they might arrange for you to have TOE, which offers a more detailed look inside your heart from the inside itself.

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

A stress echocardiogram

No preparation as such is needed for this procedure. You will be shown how to use the exercise equipment safely and properly before the test. You will need to come to your appointment wearing appropriate fitness clothing, for example comfortable running shoes. 

A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

You will be asked to follow fasting instructions for this test, which involves not eating or drinking for six hours before you come to hospital. You should arrange for someone to collect you from hospital after the test, because you won't be able to drive for 24 hours after having a sedative. You will also be asked to remove any dentures or dental plates from your mouth before the probe is passed down your throat. Your consultant will ensure you understand this preparation process before having the test.

Contrast echocardiogram

Having a contrast echocardiogram requires you to have an injection. You can't do much to prepare for an injection, but your doctor or relevant healthcare professional will ensure you feel relaxed and ready to have the injection before they administer it.

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)

There is no recovery from this test. You might have some redness and discomfort on your chest where the electrodes were attached (similar to the feeling after a plaster has been removed). This will resolve naturally.

A stress echocardiogram

There is no recovery from this test, but you might have some redness and discomfort on your chest from the electrodes as you might with a TTE. This will resolve naturally. 

Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

If you have had a sedative for this test, you might feel sleepy and out of sorts for around 24 hours after the echocardiogram. You should not drink alcohol or operate heavy machinery during this time, while the sedative wears off. You should be able to return to your normal everyday activities the day after the test, when this feeling has resided. You might also have a sore throat after the test, caused by the probe being inserted into your mouth. This should pass quickly and can be managed with painkillers. You will be back feeling like yourself again within two or three days after the test.

Contrast echocardiogram

Having a contrast echocardiogram does not change your recovery timeline, regardless of which echocardiogram you have it with. 

Your physiologist will need around an hour to analyse your results after your test. Your consultant will confirm their analysis and your diagnosis. You will meet with your consultant after the test to discuss your results and potential treatment plan in detail.

In some cases, you might need to wait a day or two before getting your results, but this depends on your individual circumstances. Your consultant will ensure you know how long you will have to wait before getting your results. 

How is an echocardiogram done on a woman? 

At Circle Health Group, we ensure echocardiograms are performed on women with the utmost care and respect for privacy. It is the same process as for men; however, we make sure that additional comfort measures are in place. You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a gown. Our experienced healthcare professionals will place small, sticky sensors (electrodes) on different parts of your chest. Then a small amount of gel is applied to the chest, and the healthcare professional uses a transducer - a small handheld device - to capture images of your heart. The procedure is completely painless and non-invasive. 

What does an echocardiogram show? 

An echocardiogram will reveal a lot about the structure of your heart and its function. At Circle Health Group, our advanced echocardiograms can show:

• The size and shape of your heart
• How well your heart’s chambers and valves are working
• The strength and direction of the blood flow through your heart
• Any areas that are receiving poor blood flow or damaged heart muscle
• Possible blood clots inside the heart
• Build-up of fluid in the sac around the heart – the pericardium
• Unusual growths or tumours 

This detailed view helps our consultants diagnose various heart conditions and plan the most effective treatments for you. 

How long does an echocardiogram take? 

At Circle Health Group, a standard transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) normally lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. Other types of echocardiograms can take a different amount of time to complete:

• Stress echocardiograms can take up to 90 minutes when adding on the exercise component
• Transoesophageal echocardiograms typically take around 90 minutes; this includes preparation and recovery time. 

We always attempt to carry out the test as efficiently as possible, while ensuring above all else that we capture the required detail about your heart health. 

What does an echocardiogram detect? 

An echocardiogram is a very versatile test that can help identify many types of heart problems. At Circle Health Group, our experienced consultants perform echocardiograms to diagnose:

• Problems with the heart valves, for example, stenosis or regurgitation
• Damage to the heart muscles as a result of heart attacks
• Congenital defects in the heart
• Heart failure and what’s causing it
• Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
• Pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)
• Blood clots or tumours
• Problems with the aorta (the main artery leaving the heart)

By diagnosing these problems early, we can provide you with timely and effective treatment sooner, potentially avoiding more severe complications.

What abnormalities can be found on the echocardiogram? 

At Circle Health Group, our echocardiograms are advanced and detailed, enabling us to detect various heart abnormalities, including:

• Valve problems, such as narrowed (stenotic) or leaky (regurgitant) heart valves
• Wall motion abnormalities showing areas of the heart muscle that do not move normally, which might indicate past heart attack or reduced blood flow
• Enlargements where there may be enlargement of the chamber of your heart—this is more often a sign of heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• Thickening of walls where heart walls may be unusually thick, potentially indicating high blood pressure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Structural defects such as holes in between various chambers of the heart, and other defects people may have been born with 
• Masses, like unusual growths or blood clots inside the heart 
• Pericardial effusion, where there is too much fluid around the heart 

Our skilled consultants will carefully analyse the results to provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. 

What should you not do before an echocardiogram?

To ensure the best result from your echocardiogram at Circle Health Group, we advise that:

• For a standard transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), there are no specific restrictions. You can eat, drink, and take medications as you normally would.
• For a stress echocardiogram, try to avoid large, heavy meals in the hours leading up to the test. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for the exercise.
• If you are having a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) you should not eat or drink for approximately 6 hours before the test. Specific instructions will be given when booking your appointment.
• Keep taking your medicines as you usually would unless your consultant has told you differently.
• Do not apply lotions, powders, or ointments to your chest area on the day of the test. This can interfere with the electrode attachments. 

We will provide you with all the preparation information you need in good time, according to the specific type of echocardiogram that you are scheduled for. 

Why would a doctor order an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram may be recommended by our consultants at Circle Health Group for any of a variety of reasons, including:

• To investigate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations
• To assess heart function after a heart attack
• The diagnosis and monitoring of heart valve diseases is required
• To evaluate the effectiveness of medical or surgical treatments
• To check for congenital heart defects
• To assess overall heart health, especially in people with risk factors for heart disease
• To look for sources of blood clots in patients who’ve had a stroke
• To evaluate heart function in patients undergoing cancer treatments that might affect the heart

An echocardiogram provides valuable information that helps our consultants give the most appropriate and effective care for your heart health. 

Is an echocardiogram a serious test? 

Although the echocardiogram is a very important diagnostic tool, it is not commonly referred to as a ‘serious’ test concerning risks and invasiveness. At Circle Health Group, we want to reassure you that:

• Echocardiograms are painless, non-invasive, and carry very few risks
• The test does not use radiation and therefore is safe for repeated use when necessary
• Many types of echocardiograms, such as a transthoracic echocardiogram, require little, if any, special preparation

However, echocardiogram results can indicate heart problems that may sometimes be serious. Our expert consultants will carefully interpret your results and promptly discuss any findings with you, ensuring that your heart health gets the best possible care as soon as possible. 

How long does it take to get echocardiogram results?

At Circle Health Group we understand that waiting for test results is a worrying time for patients. We strive to report on your echocardiogram results as quickly as possible:

• The majority of patients will leave knowing the result on the same day
• Your doctor may need around an hour to analyse what they see from the results of your test
• Your consultant will then review and confirm the analysis
• You will then have a follow-up appointment with your consultant to discuss the results and possible treatment plans

Occasionally, particularly for more complex analyses, it may take a day or two to get your results. Your consultant will always keep you informed about when to expect your results.

What happens if an echo is abnormal? 

If an echocardiogram with Circle Health Group shows that something’s not quite right, don't worry, because we are here to guide you every step of the way on your treatment journey. 

Here's what you can expect:

• Your consultant will explain the findings in detail in a clear, understandable manner
• They will discuss what these abnormalities mean for your heart and overall health and wellbeing
• If required, they may recommend further testing to give you a more comprehensive evaluation
• Your consultant will outline potential treatment options, which could range from lifestyle changes to medication or, in some cases, surgical procedures
• Together, a tailored treatment plan will be agreed between yourself and your consultant based on your personal needs and preferences 
• We will provide additional support and follow-up care to monitor your progress, adjusting your treatment accordingly

Remember, most heart abnormalities are treatable with proper care, and early detection often leads to much better outcomes.

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about having an echocardiogram, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

1. Echocardiogram, Mayo Clinic 
2. Echocardiogram, NHS
3. Echocardiogram, British Heart Foundation
4. Echocardiogram, Harvard Health
5. What to expect during an echocardiogram, Web MD