What does an echocardiogram heart test show?

An echocardiogram shows the beating of the heart along with its blood flow through the use of sound waves, according to Mayo Clinic. This test provides results of the heart's size, its strength, muscle composition and detects any possible defects.

There are various types of echocardiogram tests that monitor the heart, as WebMD details. The most common ultrasound test is the transthoracic echocardiogram, which captures images of the heart. The Doppler echocardiogram further measures the flow of blood through the heart's chambers, valves and vessels. A stress echocardiogram focuses of blood flow and scans the heart before and after manipulation through exercise or medication.