The short answer
An echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows how well your heart pumps and whether the valves open and close properly. It uses no radiation and needs no preparation.
At Tomorrow an echo is part of Ultimate+ (£1,799), with specialist cardiology input on your results. A standalone echo costs £699.
Prices checked 8 October 2026
Who should consider an echo
| Your situation | What an echo can show | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| A doctor has heard a heart murmur | Whether a valve is narrowed or leaking, and how much | Worth doing; ask your GP first, as the NHS can arrange it |
| High blood pressure for several years | Thickening of the heart muscle from working against higher pressure | Useful baseline |
| Family history of heart muscle disease | Early changes in the size or thickness of the heart | Useful; also ask your GP about family screening |
| Training hard over 40, or returning to sport | A baseline of heart structure and function | Consider alongside an exercise test |
| No symptoms and no risk factors | Usually a normal scan | Not needed on its own; a Health Check is a better start |
What happens during the scan
- BeforeNo fasting or preparation. You will undress to the waist and be offered a gown.
- DuringYou lie on your left side. Small stickers record your heart rhythm while the echocardiographer moves a probe with gel across your chest. You may hear the sound of blood flowing through the heart. It usually takes 30-45 minutes.
- AfterYou can go straight back to your day. In Ultimate+, a cardiology specialist reviews the images and the result is explained in your consultation and written report.
What the numbers mean
The headline number is the ejection fraction (EF): the share of blood the main pumping chamber pushes out with each beat.
| Ejection fraction | Described as | What usually happens next |
|---|---|---|
| 55% or more | Normal | No action needed for pumping function |
| 50–54% | Borderline low | Review alongside blood pressure and symptoms; often re-scanned |
| 36–49% | Impaired | Referral for cardiology assessment |
| 35% or less | Severely impaired | Prompt cardiology assessment |
Valves are described as normal, or as having mild, moderate or severe narrowing (stenosis) or leaking (regurgitation). A trace or mild leak is common in healthy hearts and usually needs no action.
Wall thickness shows whether the heart muscle has thickened, which can be a sign of long-standing high blood pressure.
What an echo can’t tell you
- It doesn’t show the coronary arteries directly, so a normal echo can’t rule out narrowing that causes angina.
- It can miss heart rhythm problems that come and go; those need ECG monitoring over days.
- Image quality can be limited by body shape or lung disease.
When to see a doctor instead
Call 999 for chest pain or tightness, especially if it spreads to your arm, jaw or back, severe breathlessness, or fainting.
See your GP or call NHS 111 for new or worsening breathlessness, swollen ankles or palpitations. A private health check is not a substitute for urgent care.
Costs and booking
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate+ | Echocardiogram and cardiology input, plus everything in Ultimate: vascular imaging, blood-flow analysis, exercise testing, blood analysis, consultation and report | £1,799 |
| Standalone echocardiogram | Echocardiogram and written report | £699 |
| NHS | Arranged by your GP or specialist | Free; waiting times vary by area |
Questions
Is an echocardiogram painful?
No. The gel feels cool and you will feel light pressure from the probe. Some people find lying on their left side for a while uncomfortable; you can ask for a break.
Do I need a GP referral for a private echocardiogram?
No. You can book an echocardiogram at Tomorrow yourself. On the NHS, an echo is arranged by your GP or a specialist.
What is the difference between an ECG and an echocardiogram?
An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity, which shows its rhythm. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to show the heart’s structure: its chambers, walls and valves, and how well it pumps.
Does an echocardiogram use radiation?
No. It uses ultrasound, the same technology used in pregnancy scans.
Clinically reviewed by Hussain Contractor, DPhil, MRCP, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist
Related
Sources
- NHS. Echocardiogram.
- British Society of Echocardiography. Guidelines and reference ranges.