This is the most commonly performed type of echocardiography.
During the procedure, a device called a transducer is placed on your chest over your heart. The transducer emits ultrasound waves that travel through your chest to your heart. A computer then interprets the returning sound waves, creating live images displayed on a monitor.
A healthcare professional will follow specific guidelines to capture various images and gather information.
What to Expect
Transthoracic echocardiography is painless and noninvasive. You won’t need any special preparation before the test, and there is no recovery time afterward.