Why would my GP refer me for an echocardiogram?

Common reasons include: investigating symptoms or signs of heart failure (breathlessness, leg swelling), checking heart valve function (murmur detected on examination), assessing suspected cardiomyopathy (thickened or weakened heart muscle), investigating pulmonary hypertension, assessing for pericardial disease (fluid around the heart), investigating embolic or thrombotic disease, or following up a previous cardiac diagnosis.

What does an echocardiogram show?

An echo shows heart chamber size, wall thickness, and how well the walls move; valve structure and function — whether valves are leaky (regurgitant) or narrowed (stenotic); heart function — particularly the ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the heart pumps with each beat; pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart); and blood flow patterns using colour Doppler.

Does Medicare cover an echocardiogram in Australia?

Yes. MBS item 55126 covers an initial transthoracic echocardiogram if you have relevant symptoms or signs. The Medicare fee is $271.80 and Medicare pays 75% ($203.85). Item 55126 is limited to once per 24 months — repeat scans for monitoring use other items (55127, 55129). A specialist or consultant physician must perform or supervise the scan and produce the report.

What Is an Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)?

What is it?

An echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound of the heart. A probe is placed on your chest (and sometimes a gel-covered probe is gently guided into your oesophagus for a TOE) to produce real-time images of your heart using sound waves. No radiation is involved.

The images show the heart's chambers, valves, walls, and blood flow — giving your cardiologist a detailed picture of how your heart is structured and how well it is working.

Why your GP referred you

An echo is ordered for one or more of these reasons:

Heart failure symptoms — breathlessness, ankle swelling, reduced exercise tolerance
Heart murmur — a sound heard on examination suggesting a valve abnormality
Cardiomyopathy — thickened, enlarged, or weakened heart muscle
Pulmonary hypertension — raised pressure in the lungs' blood vessels
Pericardial disease — fluid around the heart or pericarditis
After a stroke or TIA — looking for a cardiac source of embolism

What does it measure?

Key values in your report:

Ejection fraction — how much blood pumped each beat (normal ≥55%)

Left ventricle size and wall thickness

Valves

Stenosis or regurgitation of aortic, mitral, tricuspid, pulmonary valves

RVSP

Estimated right heart pressure — indicator of pulmonary hypertension

Diastole

How well the heart relaxes and fills between beats

Peri

Pericardial effusion — fluid around the heart

Your GP or cardiologist will explain what the specific findings mean for you.

What to expect

No preparation needed — no fasting, no special clothing
You undress to the waist and lie on a couch. Electrode stickers are placed on your chest for an ECG trace alongside the scan
Warm gel is applied to your chest. The sonographer moves the probe across your chest, pressing firmly at different angles to get views of the heart (acoustic windows)
You may be asked to roll slightly, breathe deeply, or hold your breath briefly
Takes about 30–45 minutes. Results are discussed at a follow-up with your GP or cardiologist

Cost and Medicare

🇦🇺 Australia — MBS item 55126

Medicare fee: $271.80. Medicare pays 75% ($203.85). Your gap depends on whether the provider bulk bills or charges above the schedule fee. Item 55126 is for the initial echocardiogram — limited to once per 24 months. Repeat monitoring scans use items 55127 (valvular) or 55129 (other). A specialist must report the scan. Verify at mbsonline.gov.au.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — NHS

Echocardiograms are free on NHS when referred by a GP or specialist. Usually performed at a cardiology department. No cost to the patient.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Available through cardiology referral, subsidised under Health NZ. Some co-payment may apply at the GP referral stage. Hospital-based echocardiograms are generally free.

🇨🇦 Canada

Covered under provincial health insurance when referred by a physician. No out-of-pocket cost for the test itself. Performed at cardiology labs or hospital imaging departments.