⚠ Draft — pending clinical sign-off by our CMO
Echocardiogram: cost, NHS wait & what to expect
Typical self-pay price
£250–£600
Typical NHS wait
Around 6–16 weeks
Overview
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows the heart’s structure and how well it is pumping, and checks the valves. It is painless and uses no radiation.
Why it's done
- Breathlessness, palpitations or chest pain being investigated
- A heart murmur or suspected valve problem
- Monitoring a known heart condition
What happens
A sonographer moves a probe over your chest with gel; the scan takes 20–45 minutes. You may be asked to lie on your left side and hold your breath briefly.
Recovery
- No recovery needed — you can go straight back to normal activities
- A cardiologist reviews the images and reports findings
Risks & things to consider
- A standard (transthoracic) echo has no known risks
- Gel may feel cold; the probe pressure can be mildly uncomfortable
Alternatives
- ECG for heart rhythm
- Cardiac MRI or CT in specific cases
- Stress echo or exercise testing when needed
Questions to ask your provider
- Will a cardiologist review and explain my scan?
- Is the report included in the price?
- Do I need any other heart tests?
- How soon will I get the results?