An echocardiogram is an ultrasound (sonogram) of your heart for the assessment of chamber size and function, valve function, physiological information (blood flow velocities, gradients and pressures) and other important disorders such as congenital defects. It will show how well your heart muscle is working, if it is enlarged or thickened, if any of the valves are leaking or have calcium build up and if there is fluid around the heart. This test is not able to evaluate whether you have ‘blocked arteries’. It is not in any way invasive – it is identical to the test done on pregnant women to check the fetus in the womb. There is no preparation for the test. You should wear a two-piece out-fit as you will have to undress from the waist up. You may eat and take all your medications. The echocardiogram will be performed in our office by a technician and takes about 30 minutes. A transducer coated with cool gel will be moved over your chest; this device creates sound waves that make images of your heart. The images are digitally recorded and reviewed by the cardiologist.