An echocardiogram (echo) is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving images of the heart. This cardiac ultrasound provides detailed information about the heart’s structure, including the size of its chambers, valve function, and blood flow direction. Proper attire is necessary to ensure the sonographer can obtain clear images and properly place monitoring equipment.
Recommended Clothing for the Appointment
The most practical choice for an echocardiogram is a comfortable, loose-fitting, two-piece outfit, such as a t-shirt or button-down shirt paired with trousers or shorts. The facility requires access to the chest area to perform the scan and attach small, adhesive electrodes for an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Patients are generally asked to remove clothing from the waist up and will be provided with a hospital gown for comfort and privacy during the procedure. Wearing an easily removable top, like a shirt that buttons or zips up, minimizes the effort required to change into the gown.
If the procedure is a stress echocardiogram, which involves exercise like walking on a treadmill, comfortable athletic shoes and flexible bottoms are necessary. The goal is to facilitate easy and quick access to the entire chest wall while allowing the patient to keep comfortable bottoms on.
Items That Must Be Removed or Avoided
Any accessories worn around the neck or chest should be left at home or removed before the procedure begins. This includes all necklaces, long or dangling earrings, and chest piercings. Metal items interfere with the movement of the ultrasound transducer, which must be firmly pressed against the skin at various angles.
Restrictive undergarments, particularly those with metal underwires, must also be removed or moved aside for the scan. The underwire can obstruct the optimal placement of the ECG electrodes and the path of the ultrasound waves.
The presence of bulk or metal creates artifacts on the resulting image—distortions that obscure the view of the heart’s structures. Removing these items ensures that sound waves travel unimpeded to produce high-quality images for diagnosis.
Essential Prep Steps Beyond Attire
Patients should avoid applying any heavy lotions, creams, oils, or powders to the chest area on the day of the test. These substances create a barrier between the skin and the water-based ultrasound gel, compromising the transmission of sound waves.
The gel needs to establish a strong acoustic coupling to effectively conduct the high-frequency sound waves into the body. Any residue on the skin can also prevent the sticky ECG electrodes from adhering properly, which are necessary for monitoring the heart’s electrical activity during the scan.
For a standard echocardiogram, special dietary preparation is usually not needed, and you can typically take your usual medications. If you are having a stress echocardiogram, however, you may be asked to avoid consuming caffeine for up to 24 hours beforehand, as stimulants can artificially elevate the heart rate and affect the test results.