How to prepare your child for an echocardiogram

If there may be a problem with your child’s heart, their physician might order an echocardiogram. This cardiac imaging test uses ultrasound to visualize the heart in great detail, helping clinicians correctly diagnose cardiac conditions.

“We can learn a lot about a patient’s heart through an echocardiogram,” says Dr. Saloni Shah, a pediatric cardiologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “It’s a great place to start so we have an idea of what, if anything, is going on with your child’s heart and develop a path for moving forward.”

During the test, which may take about 40 to 45 minutes, your child will lay on an exam table while a sonographer uses a probe connected to a computer with a monitor to take photographs of the heart. They will also review blood flow through the heart structures, including valves. The test is painless and is done in a dark room so the sonographer can see the ultrasound monitor.

Dr. Shah suggests the following tips for a smooth echocardiogram experience:

• If your child is old enough to understand, talk them through what to expect during the echo. Providing a step-by-step explanation of what they may experience can help calm anxiety and address any fears. Explain to your child that they will lay on a table with their shirt lifted up so the sonographer can access their chest. The sonographer will then apply warm gel to their skin to help improve the transmission of the ultrasound waves. Assure them that no part of the process will hurt and that you will accompany them.
• Give your child a meal or snack and something to drink prior to coming for the echo to avoid hunger or thirst – and make sure you eat something, too! Consider a treat or special snack afterward to reward them for completing the echo.
• If possible, try to schedule the echo for a time during the day your child is most calm. Avoid scheduling the echo during their typical nap time, as your child will likely be overtired and upset. Your child will need to hold still for as much of the test as possible, as the imaging is much more successful when a child isn’t crying or moving around. Bring something to help calm them, whether that be a comfort item or a toy.
• Depending on where you take your child for their echo, a member of the child life specialist team may be available to help support and distract your child during the process.

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