Echocardiography

Echocardiography is a non-invasive cardiac ultrasound test. It will evaluate the anatomy and function of the heart chambers, walls and cardiac valves. When the cardiac imaging is suboptimal in technically difficult tests, an intravenous ultrasound enhancer may be required.

A Bubble Echocardiogram with agitated saline may be needed to confirm or rule out some congenital defects of the heart walls or vessels.

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Test Preparation

• If your appointment is for a Stress Echocardiography, please refer to the specific appointment preparation instructions here.
• Please do not stop any medications without your doctor’s approval. If your referring physician did not provide instructions to stop your medication, we will continue to do the test based on what your referring physician requested.
• Do not apply any lotion, cream or oil to the chest area on the day of the test.

What to Bring

• Please bring your health card with you to your appointment.
• If you are not covered through OHIP, please bring any insurance information.
• Bring a list of your current prescription medications and vitamins/supplements.

Other Notes

• If you do not speak or understand English, please ensure you can bring someone to your appointment that can communicate and understand English, and that they can stay for the full duration of your appointment.

Arrival Time

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to check-in.
• If you late cancel or no show for your appointment, you may be charged a cancellation fee.

During the Test

• You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up and given a gown to wear. Three electrode pads will be placed on your chest and shoulders to monitor your heartbeat. You will need to lie down on an examination table, and a water-based gel will be applied to your chest. The gel may feel cold but will not harm your skin, and it will be removed at the end of the test. The technologist will hold a transducer on your chest to obtain different images of the heart. You may or may not hear a “whoosh” sound during the test. The transducer must be pressed firmly against your chest by the technologist to obtain better quality images, and this pressure may be uncomfortable, especially over your ribs. You may be asked to change your position or hold your breath at times during the test to take pictures of different areas of your heart.
• In some cases, a small amount of ultrasound-enhancing agent called Definity (contrast) may need to be injected through an IV to improve the images.
• Additional diagnostic information may be obtained with the injection of agitated saline contrast (a “bubble study”). A cardiologist will inject the agitated saline while the technologist records the images.
• The entire testing process typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes.

After the Test

• You will be able to return to your normal activities when the test is complete, unless your physician or technician tells you otherwise.
• Your referring physician should receive your results in approximately 7-10 business days.

Contact Details

• You can reach us at 1-877-564-5227, extension 2. Our call centre is open Monday to Fridays from 8am-6pm, and Saturdays from 9am-5pm. If you have a next-day or same-day appointment, you can reach us outside of our call centre hours, by pressing extension 7.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I access my medical images and reports through PocketHealth?

• For access to your medical images for your echo, we can provide them on a CD as needed. Please contact us directly.

How do I get to the clinic?

• For directions to the clinic and the nearest major intersection, please see Locations & Directions.

Can I proceed with the appointment if I am on oxygen?

• We’ll need to understand why you’re on oxygen to determine if we can proceed. Depending on the underlying condition, we may not be able to proceed with the appointment.

Is it okay to wear body lotion or perfume for my appointment?

• Please do not wear any scented products to the appointment.

What if I've misplaced my health card?

• You can still attend your appointment if you bring a printed copy, photocopy, or photo of your health card.

Will there be any out-of-pocket costs?

• Most services, including Specialist Consults and diagnostic testing, are covered by OHIP.
• If you're paying privately, some insurance providers can be billed directly.
• In other cases, you may need to pay upfront and submit the receipt to your insurance.
• If you do not have OHIP coverage, out-of-pocket payment is required.

Do you have wifi at the clinics?

• Yes, we have wifi available.

Where can I provide feedback or file a complaint?

• You can provide feedback or file a complaint via email at [e-mail] or by visiting our website here.

Can you provide a doctor's note that can send to my employer?

• Yes, we can provide work letters on the day of your appointment. Please ask the reception team.

Can I get a flu shot prior the appointment?

• You can get a flu shot prior to the appointment. This will not have any affect on the test results.

What is an echo test?

• An echocardiogram (often called an "echo") uses ultrasound to visualize the heart's structure and function in real-time. It is used to assess the health of your heart or guide your physician in the treatment plan of any heart disorders.

Are there any fasting requirements?

• No, there are no fasting requirements for this test. You can eat normally before your echocardiogram.

How long will I be on the treadmill if I have an exercise stress test?

• For specific instructions related to exercise stress test, please refer to the following article here.

Why do we also ask female patients to get approval to discontinue Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, etc?

• Medications such as Viagra can be prescribed for a wide range of things for both men and women. For example, Tadalafil (i.e. Cialis) can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate, and also pulmonary hypertension. The stress test will have to be rebooked if these medications have been consumed.

Can I work out or exercise prior to my test?

• Yes, you can work out or exercise prior to your test.

Can I take antihistamines prior to the appointment?

• Yes, antihistamines are ok to take before your appointment. This includes, for example Benadryl, Reactine, Aerius, Claritin, Allegra and Blexten.

What should I wear to the appointment?

• Wear comfortable clothing. A two-piece outfit is best, since you will need to undress from the waist up. A gown will be provided for your comfort and privacy, and the technologist will keep you covered as much as possible during the test.

How should I prepare if I have a pacemaker or other implants?

• No special preparation is needed for an echocardiogram if you have a pacemaker or other implanted device. Please inform the technologist about any implants when you arrive for your appointment.

Is the test painful or uncomfortable?

• The echocardiogram is not painful. You may feel some pressure from the probe and the coolness of the gel, but this is normal. If you experience any discomfort, let the technologist know and they can adjust the pressure.

Will contrast dye or an injection be required?

• Not usually. In some cases, a small amount of contrast (a microbubble solution) may be injected through an IV to improve the image quality.

Am I able to drive after the test?

• This test does not affect your ability to drive. You may resume your normal activities after the test. (e.g. go to work after).