Echocardiogram
This is a non invasive test. An ultrasound probe is placed on the chest wall and ultrasound waves are used to produce moving images of the heart. This test is useful to look at the function of the various chambers of the heart and can diagnose problems such as heart failure, where the heart does not contract sufficiently to maintain an adequate blood supply to the other organs in the body. It can identify where there are defects in the formation of the heart such as a hole in the heart. It provides detailed information on the structure and function of the heart valves such as the aortic and mitral valves.