Echocardiogram & Heart Structure Tests in Gwinnett County & Atlanta Metro
An echocardiogram is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in cardiovascular medicine, and one of the most commonly performed tests at CVG. Using sound waves to create detailed, real-time images of your heart, an echocardiogram gives your cardiologist a comprehensive view of your heart’s structure and function.
At CVG, echocardiograms and heart structure tests are ordered and interpreted by our board-certified cardiologists across all 11 locations in Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metro, bringing advanced cardiac imaging close to home without the need for a hospital referral.
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, also called a cardiac ultrasound or echo, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time moving images of the heart. Unlike an EKG, which records electrical activity, an echocardiogram shows your cardiologist the physical structures of your heart, including the chambers, walls, valves, and major blood vessels, and how they move and function with each heartbeat.
It is a non-invasive, radiation-free test that provides information no other imaging tool can replicate. An echocardiogram can measure how strongly your heart is pumping (ejection fraction), identify leaky or narrowed valves, detect fluid around the heart, assess the size of the heart chambers, and reveal structural abnormalities that may be causing your symptoms.
What Can an Echocardiogram Detect?
CVG’s cardiologists use echocardiograms to evaluate and diagnose a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including:
- Heart valve disease – including aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, and mitral stenosis
- Heart failure – by measuring ejection fraction and assessing how effectively the heart is pumping blood
- Cardiomyopathy – abnormal thickening, enlargement, or weakening of the heart muscle
- Pericardial effusion – fluid accumulation around the heart
- Congenital heart defects – including atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) – and evaluation of its underlying cause
- Endocarditis – infection of the heart valves
- Blood clots within the heart – particularly before procedures such as electrical cardioversion
- Aortic abnormalities – including dilation or aneurysm of the aortic root
Types of Echocardiogram at CVG
CVG offers several types of echocardiogram depending on what your cardiologist needs to evaluate.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
The transthoracic echocardiogram is the standard echocardiogram and the most commonly performed. A small handheld device called a transducer is placed on the chest and moved to different positions to capture images of the heart from multiple angles. The test is entirely non-invasive, painless, and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. It provides your cardiologist with a comprehensive assessment of heart structure and function without any injections or invasive equipment.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
A transesophageal echocardiogram provides a more detailed view of certain heart structures, particularly the valves and the back of the heart, by positioning the ultrasound probe in the esophagus, which lies directly behind the heart. Because the esophagus provides a clearer acoustic window than the chest wall, TEE produces higher-resolution images than a standard TTE for specific indications.
TEE is performed under sedation and is typically recommended when a standard echocardiogram has not provided sufficient detail, or when your cardiologist needs to evaluate a specific structure in greater depth, for example, before electrical cardioversion, to confirm the absence of blood clots in the left atrial appendage, or to assess a heart valve before surgery.
Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram combines a standard echocardiogram with exercise or pharmacologic stress testing. Images of the heart are taken at rest and immediately after exertion, allowing your cardiologist to compare how the heart walls move under stress versus at rest. This is particularly useful for detecting areas of reduced blood flow that may only become apparent when the heart is working harder.
Who Needs an Echocardiogram?
Your CVG cardiologist may recommend an echocardiogram if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest a structural heart problem, or if other tests have identified findings that require further evaluation. Common reasons an echocardiogram is ordered include:
- Shortness of breath – particularly with exertion
- Chest pain or pressure
- Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- A heart murmur detected during a physical exam
- Unexplained fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Swelling in the legs or ankles suggesting fluid retention
- Monitoring a known heart condition such as valve disease, cardiomyopathy, or heart failure
- Evaluation before or after a cardiac procedure
What to Expect During Your Echocardiogram at CVG
Before the Test: A standard transthoracic echocardiogram requires no special preparation. You can eat and drink normally and take your usual medications unless your cardiologist advises otherwise. For a stress echocardiogram, you may be asked to avoid caffeine and refrain from eating for a few hours before the test. For a transesophageal echocardiogram, you will be asked to fast for several hours as the procedure involves sedation.
During the Test: For a transthoracic echocardiogram, you will lie on your left side on an exam table. A small amount of gel is applied to your chest to help the transducer make good contact with the skin. The technician will move the transducer to several positions across your chest to capture images from different angles. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly at certain points. The test is entirely painless and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
For a transesophageal echocardiogram, you will receive a sedative and a local anesthetic spray to the back of the throat. A thin, flexible probe is gently guided down the esophagus. You will be monitored continuously throughout and will not be aware of most of the procedure. TEE typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
After the Test: No recovery time is required after a standard transthoracic echocardiogram; you can resume normal activities immediately. After a TEE, you will need to rest in a monitored recovery area for a short period while the sedation wears off, and you will need someone to drive you home. Your CVG cardiologist will review the images and discuss findings with you at a follow-up appointment or the same day depending on the clinical situation.
How Long Does an Echocardiogram Take?
Frequently Asked Questions About Echocardiograms
An EKG records the electrical activity of your heart, its rate and rhythm. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of your heart’s physical structures, its chambers, walls, valves, and vessels, and how they move. The two tests provide different and complementary types of information, and many patients undergo both as part of a complete cardiovascular evaluation.
No, echocardiograms use sound waves, not radiation. They are safe for all patients, including those who are pregnant.
Why Choose CVG for Your Echocardiogram
At CVG, echocardiograms are not simply ordered and filed; they are interpreted by the board-certified cardiologist managing your care, in the context of your full cardiovascular health picture. That means your results are explained to you clearly, connected to your symptoms and history, and used to guide a personalized next step, not handed back as a report without context.
With advanced cardiac imaging available in-office at all 11 CVG locations across Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metro, expert heart structure testing has never been more accessible. No hospital referral, no separate imaging center, no unnecessary delays.
CVG has been caring for the hearts of Georgia patients since 1982. If your cardiologist has recommended an echocardiogram, or if you are experiencing symptoms that warrant one, our team is ready to help.