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Echocardiography (or 'echo' in short) is performed to determine the state o the heart. By performing an echo, your doctor can 'look' into the heart. He (can determine the pumping action of the heart, abnormality of valves presence of holes in the heart and if any fluid is present around the heart
Echo uses sound waves which are totally harmless. The principle of echo is the same as Sonar which is used by submarines. Sound waves are beamed towards the heart. These are then bounced back from various structures within the heart and converted to pictures which can be seen on a TV screen. Using this technology, it is possible to actually see the movement of the valves within the heart and the pumping action of the heart muscle.
An extension of the echo test called the Colour Doppler is also used in more or less the same way. This test is used to determine the direction and velocity of flow of blood within the chambers of the heart and gives additional information about leaky or narrowed valves and holes in the heart.
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Cardio & Blood