New service · launching 3rd November 2026
› Cardiac imaging
Cardiac imaging, reported by cardiologists.
A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a painless, non-invasive ultrasound of your heart. It takes about 30–45 minutes, uses no radiation, and shows how your heart is pumping and how its valves are working. The scan is performed by cardiac sonographers and reviewed by the same senior cardiologists who report in major Auckland hospitals.
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Limited spaces. Referral from a GP or specialist required. Appointments only.
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“Your echocardiogram, explained” · video coming soon
What an echo shows
A moving picture of your heart at work.
A small hand-held probe is moved over your chest with gel to create live pictures of your heart. The scan shows the chambers, heart muscle and valves in motion, and colour Doppler can show the direction and speed of blood flow.
Pumping strength
Ejection fraction - how much blood leaves with each beat
Valves
Leaks (regurgitation) and narrowing (stenosis)
Chamber size & walls
Enlargement, thickening, damage after a heart attack
Blood flow & pressure
Colour Doppler, estimated pressures, fluid around the heart
No radiation
30–45 min
No preparation
Reported by senior cardiologists
Who it's for
Your doctor may refer you for an echo if you have…
Breathlessness or reduced exercise tolerance
A heart murmur found by your doctor
Palpitations or an abnormal ECG
High blood pressure that needs assessment
Chest pain or a previous heart attack
Follow-up of a known valve or heart-muscle condition
What to expect
Lie back. It's quieter than you'd think.
Before
No preparation. Take your usual medication. Wear a top that's easy to remove; you may be offered a gown.
Setting up
Small ECG stickers are placed on your chest to track your heartbeat during the scan. You lie on your left side while the cardiac sonographer moves the probe over your chest and records the images.
The scan
Warm gel and a small probe on your chest, moved between a few positions. You'll hear whooshing - that's blood flow. 30–45 minutes; you may be asked to hold your breath briefly.
After
You can usually go straight back to your day afterwards. A senior cardiologist reviews the images and sends a report to your referrer, usually within 48 hours.
For referrers
Launch slots are limited and allocated by clinical need.
Please include the clinical question, relevant history and urgency. Reports are completed by the same senior cardiologists who report in major Auckland hospitals, usually within 48 hours; critical findings are phoned through.
Funding
Transthoracic echocardiogram: $750.
$750 incl. GST, confirmed when we call to book. Southern Cross and nib members: we handle pre-approval. See every price on the prices page.
Questions
Is an echocardiogram safe?
Yes. A standard TTE uses ultrasound, not radiation, and does not involve injections. It is safe in pregnancy and can be repeated when your doctor needs another look.
Will I get results on the day?
The sonographer records the images; a cardiologist reports them and your referrer receives the report within 48 hours. Anything urgent is phoned through the same day.
Is it the same as an ECG or a stress test?
No. An ECG records electrical activity; a stress test looks at the heart under exercise. An echo shows structure and pumping in pictures. Your doctor may order more than one.
Why are spaces limited?
We are launching with a small number of cardiac sonographer sessions each week and growing capacity carefully so every scan gets the time it needs.
Echocardiogram from 3 November. Secure your spot.
Limited launch spaces. Call 09 638 5169 or request a time online - we'll confirm within two hours of receiving your enquiry.
or call
09 638 5169