The test is uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make pictures of your heart. These waves are changed into pictures viewed on a video monitor and the specialist can see pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, walls and the blood vessels (aorta, arteries, veins) attached to your heart. The doctor may suggest an echocardiogram to check for problems with the valves or chambers of your heart, check if heart problems are the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain or detect heart defects