What Is an Echocardiogram Test and Why You Might Need One
Experiencing any discomfort, fatigue, or irregular heartbeats in your chest lately?
Your physician may recommend an echocardiogram, a safe, painless ultrasound test that provides a window into the functioning of your heart .
What Happens During an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram (or echocardiography) is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time detailed images of your heart’s chambers, valves, and blood flow, without any radiation.
It’s safe and painless, and usually takes about 30-60 minutes.
At Athens Heart Center & Specialty Clinics, echocardiograms are performed on-site by echo technicians.
Why Your Doctor Might Order One
If your doctor has suggested an echocardiogram, it’s because they want to get a clear picture of how your heart is working, so they can take the best possible care of you.
You might need this test if:
- Your doctor hears a heart murmur during a check-up
- You’ve had chest pain that doesn’t have an obvious cause
- You’ve experienced a stroke or heart attack, and they want to see how your heart was affected
- You’ve had rheumatic fever, which can sometimes leave lasting effects on the heart
- You were born with a heart condition, even if it hasn’t caused trouble until now
- There’s concern about damaged or leaky heart valves
Other common indications for echocardiography include shortness of breath, dizziness, syncope, and elevated blood pressure.
Sometimes, even when you’re not feeling symptoms, your doctor may want to do an echo just to be sure your heart is healthy and strong.
How We Conduct Your Echocardiogram
Before the Test: You can eat, drink, and take your medications as usual, no special restrictions.
During the Test: An echo technician places a transducer on your chest; you may lie on your side or be asked to adjust breathing briefly while images are captured.
No Recovery Time: The process concludes in about 40-60 minutes and can resume normal activity right away.
Fast Results: Most reports are available within 24-48 hours.
Why Athens Heart Center Is the Right Place for Your Echo
At Athens Heart Center, quality, affordability, and accessibility come together:
- Affordable pricing: Echocardiogram prices at Athens Heart Center being $300 (significantly lower than typical hospital charges)
- Convenient scheduling: We offer same-or next-day appointments, with streamlined check-in.
- Cash-pay and insurance-friendly: Medicare, Medicaid, most major insurance plans are accepted. Self-pay options are available for uninsured or high-deductible patients.
All-in-one care: Testing, interpretation, and follow-up all happen at our Athens location, no bouncing between facilities.
What Your Echo Can Reveal
During the echocardiogram testing we can track-
- Heart chamber size and wall motion
- Valve function and pressure
- Ejection fraction (how well your heart pumps)
- Fluid around the heart or structural abnormalities
These insights help diagnose or rule out heart conditions with clarity and confidence.
Ready to Schedule Your Echo with Athens Heart Center?
- Fast
- Affordable
- Reliable
At Athens Heart Center, we make getting an echocardiogram testing simple, precise, and budget-friendly for you.
Call (706) 208‑9700 to schedule your test
Learn more and view full diagnostic testing details: ahcspc.com/diagnostic-testing
Let’s take one step closer to understanding your heart together.
