Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) in Paris

It shows the heart in motion and lets the cardiologist assess how well it's working, for example how forcefully the left ventricle contracts and whether a valve is narrowed or leaking. It can reveal valve disease, heart failure, congenital anomalies and the consequences of high blood pressure or a previous event. Because it captures the heart in real time, it gives information an ECG can't, which is why the two are often combined within a cardiac check-up.

No. It uses ultrasound, the same harmless technology used in pregnancy scans, with no radiation and no injection. The cardiologist simply moves a probe over the chest with a little gel; you feel only light pressure, lying comfortably on your left side while the images are recorded. No recovery, no side effect, and it can be repeated as often as needed to follow a condition over time.

Generally 15 to 30 minutes, depending on what the cardiologist needs to assess. It's often performed within a cardiac check-up, alongside a consultation and an ECG, so you get a full assessment in a single visit. You simply lie on your left side while the heart in motion is recorded. If it reveals something needing a further test, the cardiologist arranges it, but the ultrasound itself is a single session that ends with results explained to you.

No fasting, no special preparation. Eat and take your usual medication normally beforehand. Wear an outfit that's easy to remove for the upper body, since the probe goes on the chest. If you've had previous echocardiograms, bring them so the cardiologist can compare over time. That's all this test requires of you in advance.

To investigate a heart murmur, breathlessness or chest symptoms, or to follow a known condition such as valve disease or heart failure. Also used to check the heart after high blood pressure or a previous event, and as part of a cardiac check-up. Because it shows the heart in motion, it often answers questions an ECG alone can't. If your symptoms are severe or sudden, such as lasting chest pain or acute breathlessness, treat it as an emergency and call 15 (SAMU) or 112 rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.

They examine different aspects of the heart and are often combined. The ECG records electrical activity and reveals rhythm and conduction problems; the echocardiogram is an ultrasound showing structure and function, such as how the ventricles pump and whether the valves are competent. The cardiologist frequently performs both within a cardiac check-up, since together they cover the electrical and mechanical health of the heart. Neither is painful, neither uses radiation.

Yes, a heart murmur is one of the most common reasons for this test. A murmur is an extra sound the cardiologist hears when listening to the heart; many are harmless, but some reflect a valve problem. The echocardiogram shows the valves in motion, so the cardiologist can see whether one is narrowed or leaking and how significant it is, turning a murmur heard on examination into a precise diagnosis and, if needed, a follow-up plan.

Yes, this is the standard imaging test for both. For valve disease, it shows how narrowed or leaky a valve is and how the heart is coping, helping decide when treatment or intervention may be needed. For heart failure, it measures how well the heart muscle pumps and helps guide medication. Because it's painless and radiation-free, it can be repeated as often as follow-up requires, which is central to managing these conditions long-term.

Both use ultrasound, but they look at different things. This test is a heart ultrasound, looking at the heart itself; a vascular Doppler studies the arteries and veins, such as the carotids or the leg vessels. In fact, an echocardiogram often includes Doppler measurements of blood flow within the heart, so the two overlap in technique. The cardiologist chooses this test to assess the heart itself and a vascular Doppler for the blood vessels: see our vascular Doppler page for the six explorations we offer there.

A prescription from your doctor is generally required to carry out complementary examinations. If in doubt, our secretariat is available to advise you.

Use the online booking button on this page, or call the secretariat. Mention your reason (a heart murmur, breathlessness or valve follow-up) so we plan the right appointment; note that this test is often combined with a consultation and an ECG in a cardiac check-up. Bring previous echocardiograms and your medication list, and wear something easy to remove for the upper body. New patients are welcome. If your symptoms are severe or sudden, treat it as an emergency and call 15 (SAMU) or 112.