Echocardiography is a method of imaging the heart through ultrasound. The test takes about 30 minutes, is painless, and does not require an IV. During this test, you will lay on your left side and a technician will apply ultrasound gel to your chest, then place an ultrasound probe to your chest to visualize the heart using sound waves. The ultrasound equipment is similar to that used to obtain images of the fetus in a pregnant woman’s uterus. An echocardiogram gives your doctor information about your heart muscle and heart valves, but cannot diagnose coronary artery disease.