An echocardiogram is the most informative non-invasive test of how your heart is working. At The Cardiology Doctors, every echocardiogram is performed personally by Consultant Cardiologist Dr Nabila Laskar, a Cardiac Imaging Specialist — not a technician — so you receive both the scan and an expert interpretation in the same appointment.
An echocardiogram (echo) uses high-frequency ultrasound to produce real-time moving images of your heart. It shows muscle size and thickness, pumping strength, valve structure and function, intracardiac pressures, and the pericardium. Painless, no radiation, typically 30–45 minutes. Options include transthoracic (TTE, standard chest-wall scan), focused echo (shorter, problem-focused), and stress echo by arrangement.
Common indications include heart murmur, breathlessness on exertion (to exclude heart failure, valve disease or pulmonary hypertension), palpitations, chest pain, high blood pressure (to check for LVH and diastolic dysfunction), pre-operative cardiac assessment, and family screening for inherited cardiac conditions or sudden cardiac death.
No fasting or medication changes are required. You undress to the waist and lie on your left side on the examination couch. Warm gel is applied and the ultrasound probe is moved over several positions. The scan is painless. Dr Laskar discusses preliminary findings immediately afterwards, with a full written report normally available within 24 hours and shared with your GP if you wish.
Many clinics use a sonographer for the scan and a separate doctor for reporting. We do not. Dr Laskar is a Cardiac Imaging Specialist with senior NHS consultant experience and personally performs and interprets every scan — combining the diagnostic value of the imaging with a full consultation and clear answers in a single visit.
Most scans take 30–45 minutes, including time to discuss the findings with Dr Laskar.
No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink and take your usual medication as normal.
Preliminary results are explained immediately after the scan; a full written report follows within 24 hours.
Yes — it uses ultrasound, the same technology used in pregnancy scans, with no radiation or known risks.
Visit our Prices page for current echocardiogram fees. We are transparent about all charges before you book.
Yes — combined consultation, ECG and echocardiogram packages are available and commonly booked together.