Echocardiogram FAQs
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram (often called an “echo”) is an ultrasound of the heart. It shows your heart’s structure and function in real time, including the chambers, valves, muscle thickness, and blood flow patterns.
Is an echocardiogram safe?
Yes. Echocardiography is completely safe and uses sound waves, not radiation. It has no known risks and is widely used in both children and adults.
Is EkoCardia accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)?
EkoCardia has undergone a rigorous independent review to earn IAC Accreditation in Echocardiography. For you, this means exceptional diagnostic image quality, state-of-the-art equipment, and certified sonographers, ensuring your heart scan is accurate the first time.
Who performs and interprets the echocardiogram?
At EkoCardia™, your test is performed by a registered cardiac sonographer (RDCS) using advanced ultrasound equipment. Every study is interpreted by a U.S.-based, board-certified cardiologist with expertise in advanced cardiac imaging.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
What will my final echocardiogram report include?
Your report will cover:
- Heart function (ejection fraction)
- Wall thickness and muscle appearance
- Valve performance (tight or leaky valves)
- Chamber size and pressures
- Structural abnormalities such as congenital defects (if present).
The cardiologist will summarize whether your echo is normal or if further evaluation is recommended.
Can an echocardiogram detect heart failure?
Yes. Echocardiography is the first-line imaging test recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) for evaluating suspected heart failure. It measures the ejection fraction (pumping strength) and identifies whether the heart muscle is weak, stiff, or enlarged.
Can an echocardiogram detect blocked arteries?
Not directly. An echocardiogram shows how well the heart muscle is contracting, but it does not visualize coronary artery blockages. However, it can detect wall motion abnormalities caused by prior heart attacks or poor blood supply. If artery disease is suspected, your doctor may recommend additional tests such as a stress test or CT coronary angiogram.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
Should I get an echocardiogram if I have high blood pressure?
Sometimes. The ACC/AHA Hypertension Guidelines recommend an echocardiogram if you have:
- Symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath.
- Signs of complications (such as abnormal ECG findings).
- Long-standing or difficult-to-control blood pressure.
Echocardiography can reveal heart muscle thickening or chamber enlargement caused by hypertension.
Where can I get an affordable echocardiogram in Salt Lake City, Utah?
EkoCardia™ offers convenient outpatient echocardiogram services at our centrally located clinic in Salt Lake City. Our scans are performed by certified cardiac sonographers and read by board-certified cardiologists — no hospital visit or referral required.
How much is an echocardiogram?
At EkoCardia™ in Salt Lake City, a complete adult transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) costs $449 — a flat fee, with no hidden charges. This includes both the scan and the cardiologist’s interpretation.
Patients visit us not only from Salt Lake City but also from neighboring states like Nevada and Wyoming for our affordable, high-quality cardiac imaging.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram today.
HSA/FSA eligible.
How much is an echocardiogram without insurance?
Many hospitals and clinics charge $1,000–$3,000 or more for an echocardiogram without insurance. At EkoCardia™ in Salt Lake City, we offer the same medical-grade quality for just $449, with no insurance or referral required. Your exam includes a complete adult transthoracic study interpreted by U.S.-based, board-certified cardiologists.
Why are your prices so much lower than a hospital or imaging center?
Hospital systems and large health networks attach massive facility fees, administrative costs, and insurance overhead to every scan, inflating the price by 300% to 500%.
As an independent, specialized cardiac clinic, we operate with streamlined overhead and cash-pay pricing. We cut out the insurance middleman and bill you directly—passing thousands of dollars in savings to you with zero hidden fees.
What ultrasound machine do you use?
At EkoCardia, we use the GE HealthCare Vivid E95, a premium cardiovascular ultrasound system designed specifically for advanced cardiac imaging.
The Vivid E95 combines high-quality 2D and 3D/4D cardiac imaging with Color, PW and CW Doppler, tissue Doppler, strain imaging and automated cardiac measurements such as AutoEF. It also supports advanced technologies including 4D Strain and 4D Auto LVQ for detailed assessment and quantification of heart function.
Its advanced beamforming technology and high-resolution imaging allow our sonographers to capture detailed images of the heart, its chambers, valves, blood flow and movement during your echocardiogram.
Can I get an echocardiogram with insurance?
EkoCardia™ is a cash-pay only service, meaning we do not bill insurance. However, you can request a detailed receipt to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your insurance plan.
Can I order my own echocardiogram?
Yes! At EkoCardia™, you do not need a doctor’s referral. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or simply want peace of mind, you can schedule your own echocardiogram directly.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to get an echocardiogram at EkoCardia™?
No referral is needed. EkoCardia™ allows patients to self-refer for echocardiography. We make heart imaging accessible without the barriers of insurance or primary care gatekeeping.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram today.
Are you a healthcare provider submitting an order? Visit our For Providers portal.
How can a healthcare provider submit a referral to EkoCardia™?
Providers can submit patient referrals directly online. Please visit our Providers page to download our referral form and view instructions for faxing or emailing orders.
Are screening echocardiograms important for athletes?
For high-endurance athletes, it helps detect hidden heart conditions that routine exams may miss, reducing the risk of sudden cardiac events and giving peace of mind. Read more here.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
How long does an echocardiogram take?
The scan itself typically takes 30–45 minutes. Plan for a total visit time of about 1 hour, including check-in and preparation.
Book your echocardiogram now with EkoCardia™—no referral needed.
What should I wear to an echocardiogram?
Wear a two-piece outfit (e.g., shirt and pants or skirt). You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up and will be given a gown to wear during the exam.
Can I eat or drink before an echocardiogram?
Yes, you can eat and drink normally before your transthoracic echocardiogram. There are no fasting requirements unless instructed otherwise for specific reasons.
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
What’s the difference between an Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI?
Echocardiogram (Echo)
- Uses ultrasound (sound waves)
- Quick, non-invasive, and widely available
- Shows heart chambers, valves, and pumping function
- Cost: $449 at EkoCardia™ (cash-pay, no referral needed)
Cardiac MRI (CMR)
- Uses magnetic fields for 3D, highly detailed images
- Best for detecting scarring, inflammation, and cardiomyopathies
- Provides precise measurement of heart size and function
- Cost: Typically $1,000–$5,000+ at hospitals or imaging centers, depending on location and insurance coverage
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
What’s the difference between an Echocardiogram and an ECG?
Echocardiogram (Echo)
- Uses ultrasound (sound waves) to create moving pictures of the heart
- Shows heart chambers, valves, muscle thickness, and pumping strength
- Detects structural problems like valve disease, cardiomyopathy, or congenital abnormalities
- Cost: $449 at EkoCardia™ (cash-pay, no referral needed)
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Measures the electrical activity of the heart with skin electrodes
- Shows heart rhythm, rate, and signs of past or ongoing heart strain or damage
- Detects arrhythmias, heart attack patterns, and conduction abnormalities
- Cost: Typically $50–$150 (often covered by insurance)
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram with EkoCardia™ today.
What’s the difference between a Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echocardiogram?
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)
- Standard, most common echocardiogram
- Performed by placing an ultrasound probe on the chest wall
- Quick, non-invasive, and painless
- Best for general evaluation of heart structure and pumping function
- Cost: $449 at EkoCardia™ (cash-pay, no referral needed).
Schedule your affordable echocardiogram today.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
- Specialized echo where the probe is passed down the esophagus (closer to the heart)
- Provides clearer images of the atria, valves, blood clots, and infections
- Requires sedation and is usually done in a hospital setting
- Used for complex cases like stroke evaluation, prosthetic valve assessment, or endocarditis
- Cost: Typically $1,000–$3,000+ at hospitals (depending on insurance coverage)
Do you offer any other cardiac diagnostic exams?
At this time, EkoCardia only offers self-pay echocardiogram. We do not currently provide other cardiac diagnostic exams such as coronary calcium scans, electrocardiograms (ECG) or stress testing.
What is the CPT code for the exam we offer?
How long does it take to get the results from my echocardiogram?
What Measurements Does an Echocardiogram Include?
A comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) may include a wide range of measurements and assessments used to evaluate cardiac structure, function, blood flow, and pressure estimates. The specific measurements obtained may vary depending on the clinical indication, including routine cardiac evaluation, athlete’s heart assessment, valve disease evaluation, cardiomyopathy assessment, pulmonary hypertension screening, and structural heart follow-up.
Left Ventricular Assessment
Evaluation of left ventricular size, geometry, systolic function, and myocardial mechanics may include:
- LVEDV – Left ventricular end-diastolic volume
- LVESV – Left ventricular end-systolic volume
- LVEDVi / LVEDV-BSA – Left ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area
- LVESVi / LVESV-BSA – Left ventricular end-systolic volume indexed to body surface area
- LVEF – Left ventricular ejection fraction (Simpson biplane and 3D methods)
- LVSV – Left ventricular stroke volume
- SVI – Stroke volume index
- LVCO – Left ventricular cardiac output
- LVCI – Left ventricular cardiac index
- LVIDd / LVEDD – Left ventricular internal diameter/end-diastolic diameter
- LVIDs – Left ventricular internal diameter in systole
- IVSd – Interventricular septal thickness in diastole
- LVPWd – Left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole
- LV Mass – Left ventricular myocardial mass
- LVMI – Left ventricular mass index
- RWT – Relative wall thickness
- GLS – Global longitudinal strain
- Mechanical dispersion – Timing variability of myocardial contraction by strain imaging
- LV rotational mechanics – Advanced assessment of ventricular twist and untwist mechanics
Right Ventricular Assessment
Evaluation of right ventricular size and function may include:
- RV basal diameter – Right ventricular basal dimension
- RV mid diameter – Right ventricular mid-cavity dimension
- RV length – Right ventricular longitudinal dimension
- RVEDA – Right ventricular end-diastolic area
- RVESA – Right ventricular end-systolic area
- RVFAC / FAC – Right ventricular fractional area change
- TAPSE – Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
- TDI S′ – Tissue Doppler systolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus
- RV GLS – Right ventricular global longitudinal strain
- RV free-wall strain – Right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain
- RV MPI / Tei index – Right ventricular myocardial performance index
- RV/LV ratio – Ratio of right ventricular to left ventricular size
- RVEDVi – Right ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area
Atrial Assessment
Evaluation of atrial size and remodeling may include:
- LA size – Left atrial dimension
- LAVI / LA Volume-BSA – Left atrial volume index
- LA Volume – Left atrial volume
- LA Area – Left atrial area
- RA Volume – Right atrial volume
- RAVI / RA Volume-BSA – Right atrial volume index
- RA Area – Right atrial area
- RA Area Index – Right atrial area indexed to body surface area
Diastolic Function Assessment
Assessment of ventricular relaxation and filling pressures may include:
- MV E velocity – Early mitral inflow velocity
- MV A velocity – Late mitral inflow velocity
- E/A ratio – Ratio of early to late mitral inflow velocities
- Deceleration Time (DT) – Mitral inflow deceleration time
- Septal e′ – Septal mitral annular early diastolic velocity
- Lateral e′ – Lateral mitral annular early diastolic velocity
- E/e′ ratio – Estimate of left ventricular filling pressures
- Average E/e′ – Averaged filling pressure estimate
Valve Assessment
Mitral Valve
- MV Vmax – Maximum mitral valve velocity
- MV Mean Gradient – Mean mitral valve pressure gradient
- MV Peak Gradient – Peak mitral valve pressure gradient
- MV VTI – Mitral valve velocity-time integral
- MVA – Mitral valve area
Aortic Valve
- AV Vmax – Peak aortic valve velocity
- AV Peak Gradient – Peak aortic valve gradient
- AV Mean Gradient – Mean aortic valve gradient
- AV VTI – Aortic valve velocity-time integral
- AVA – Aortic valve area
- AVA/BSA – Indexed aortic valve area
- DVI / DI – Dimensionless velocity index
Tricuspid Valve
- TR – Tricuspid regurgitation assessment
- TR Vmax – Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity
- TR Gradient – Pressure gradient derived from TR velocity
Pulmonary Valve
- PV Vmax – Peak pulmonary valve velocity
- PV Peak Gradient – Peak pulmonary valve gradient
Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment
When evaluating for pulmonary hypertension, echocardiography may include:
- PASP – Pulmonary artery systolic pressure estimate
- RVSP – Right ventricular systolic pressure estimate
- TR Vmax – Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity
- RAP – Right atrial pressure estimate
- IVC Diameter – Inferior vena cava diameter
- IVC Collapse – Inferior vena cava respiratory variation
- PA Diameter – Main pulmonary artery diameter
- RVOT Diameter – Right ventricular outflow tract diameter
- RVOT Acceleration Time (PAAT) – Pulmonary artery acceleration time
- PAAT/RVET – Pulmonary artery acceleration time to right ventricular ejection time ratio
- RV Function Parameters – TAPSE, FAC, RV strain, and RV MPI
Athlete’s Heart / Sports Cardiology Assessment
For competitive athletes or endurance-trained individuals, additional measurements may include:
- LVEDVi – Indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume
- RVEDVi – Indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volume
- LVMI – Left ventricular mass index
- SVI – Stroke volume index
- RV/LV ratio – Ventricular size relationship
- GLS – Global longitudinal strain
- RV strain – Right ventricular myocardial deformation
- Exercise PASP – Pulmonary artery pressure response during exercise
- Exercise TAPSE response – Right ventricular contractile response with exercise
- Contractile reserve – Change in cardiac function with exercise
Aorta and Great Vessel Assessment
- Ao Root – Aortic root measurement
- SOV – Sinus of Valsalva diameter
- Ascending Ao – Ascending aortic diameter
- Ao/BSA – Aortic measurement indexed to body surface area
Hemodynamic Assessment
- CO – Cardiac output
- CI – Cardiac index
- SV – Stroke volume
- RAP – Right atrial pressure estimate
- IVC – Inferior vena cava assessment
- Doppler Flow Measurements – Velocity and flow-derived hemodynamic parameters
The final echocardiogram protocol is individualized based on patient history, symptoms, athletic status, prior cardiac findings, and the specific clinical question being evaluated.
Our Insights
Should You Get a Screening Echocardiogram Even Without Symptoms?
What Should I Expect in My Final Echocardiogram Report?
Why a Screening Echocardiogram Can Save Your Life
What Our Clients Say
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE NEITHER CREATES A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP NOR DOES IT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to create a physician-patient relationship or to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.