Written by Raghuveer Boddireddy, MD. Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Echocardiogram?
A cardiologist, a heart doctor, reads the results of an echocardiogram. A sonographer, a specially trained technician, performs the scan. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not expose you to radiation. It shows the heart while it is beating, along with the heart valves and other structures. The most common type is a transthoracic echocardiogram, or TTE. For a TTE, a health care professional moves a transducer, a wand-like device, across your chest. Sound waves bounce off the heart, and a computer changes the echoes into pictures.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Your provider may order an echo if you have damaged heart valves, swelling in the legs, or rheumatic fever, which can cause swelling and injury to your heart. You may also need one after a heart attack, a stroke, or heart surgery.
An echo can help find abnormal heart valves, heart problems present at birth, and damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack. It can also find fluid in the sac around the heart. Your provider may suggest a TEE if the TTE pictures are unclear or an area of the heart needs a closer look.
How to prepare
No special steps are needed before a TTE. If you are having a TEE, you will not be able to eat or drink for several hours before the test. You will need someone to take you home after the test.
What happens during it
For a TTE, you take off your clothes from the waist up and lie on an exam table on your back. A small amount of gel is spread on your chest, and the transducer is moved over your skin. You will feel a slight pressure on your chest. You may be asked to breathe in a certain way or to roll onto your left side. A TTE usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. If the pictures are not clear, the sonographer may inject a small amount of liquid, called contrast, through an IV line to see the inside of the heart better.
For a TEE, you may get a sedative, a medicine to help you relax. Your provider sprays a numbing medicine in the back of your mouth and throat. Then your provider inserts a tube with a transducer on the end down your throat. A TEE may take up to 90 minutes.
Recovery
After a TEE, you may feel a need to cough when your provider pulls the probe out. The sedatives may make you drowsy for several hours. Your provider may use your results along with your medical history to diagnose a heart condition. Some abnormal results are very minor and do not pose major risks, while others are signs of serious heart disease. You may need more tests by a specialist if the results are abnormal.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, trouble breathing, or fainting.
Risks and side effects
There are no known risks from an external TTE test. A TEE, which uses a probe passed down the throat, carries some risk. These include reactions to the sedating medicines, blood pressure or heart rhythm problems, and minor bleeding in the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach.
Who performs it
A sonographer does the scan and a cardiologist reads the results. For a TEE, a heart doctor with special training guides the probe.
Common questions
Does an echocardiogram use radiation?
No, an echocardiogram does not expose you to radiation. It uses sound waves instead.
How long does an echocardiogram take?
A TTE usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. A TEE may take up to 90 minutes.
What is a TEE?
A TEE, or transesophageal echocardiogram, is an echo where the transducer is attached to a tube inserted down your esophagus. It gives your provider a more detailed look at the blood flow in your heart.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
