You are then placed on an examination table. Electrodes is then attached to your chest to monitor your heart rate simultaneously. The consultant applies gel and runs the probe over your chest.

The ultrasound machine transmits high-frequency sound waves into your body, using a probe. Some of the sound waves get reflected back to the probe, while some travel further until they reach another boundary and get reflected. The reflected waves are picked up by the probe and the consultant is then able to see images of the heart and assess the function of the heart valves and the size and function of the heart on a monitor.