Imaging / functional test
Echocardiogram
Other names and abbreviations: echocardiography, heart ultrasound
Heart ultrasound: shows the structure, valves and pumping strength of the heart muscle.
The test is painless and safe. The doctor assesses the size of the heart chambers, valve function and ejection fraction, i.e. how efficiently the heart pumps.
Typical ranges in adults
| Parameter | Typical range | What a deviation may mean |
|---|---|---|
| Ejection fraction (EF) | approx. 55–70% | reduced: weakened heart function |
The ranges are approximate and differ between laboratories; they also depend on age, sex and pregnancy. A result outside the range doesn't always mean illness – discuss it with a doctor.
When it is done
With heart murmurs, shortness of breath, hypertension, after a heart attack, before some operations.
How to prepare
No preparation needed.
