— For patients —
Why you’ve been referred for an echo
Doctors refer patients for an echocardiogram to look at the heart’s structure and how well it is pumping. It’s used to look into a symptom or a finding, to check the effect of another condition on the heart, or to monitor a heart condition that’s already known. An echo is often used to rule things out as well as to find them.
Common reasons for a referral
- A heart murmur heard through a stethoscope
- Shortness of breath, ankle swelling or tiredness, to check whether the heart is involved
- A change on an ECG or a chest X-ray
- High blood pressure, to check its effect on the heart muscle
- An irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation
- Monitoring a known valve problem or heart condition
- A family history of an inherited heart muscle condition
- Before or during treatment with a medicine that can affect the heart
Your referral explains the reason your doctor has asked for the scan. If you’re not sure why you’ve been referred, your doctor is the best person to ask.
If your symptoms are getting worse
An echocardiogram is a planned test, not an emergency service. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or you faint, call 000.
What happens next
You’ll need a referral from your GP or a specialist, and a valid Medicare card. Book online or call us on 0410 357 488. Your echocardiogram is reviewed and reported by our cardiologist within 24–48 hours of your scan, and the report is sent directly to the doctor who referred you. Book a follow-up with them to discuss your results.