An echocardiogram is a diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to take moving pictures of the heart and its related structures (e.g., valves). The pictures or images appearing on the screen may be in black and white or colour.

From these pictures, doctors can measure the size and function of heart chambers, study the motion of heart valves and assess the efficacy of the contraction of heart muscles and the blood flow pattern across the valves and within the heart chambers.