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Echo (Echocardiogram)

Echo (Echocardiogram) Near Craigieburn | Northside Imaging Mickleham

Looking for an echocardiogram near Craigieburn? Northside Imaging in Mickleham offers heart ultrasound (echo) scans just minutes from Craigieburn, with bulk billing available for Medicare eligible patients and results sent to your doctor fast.
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What Is an Echo (Echocardiogram)?

An echocardiogram, commonly called an “echo,” is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It uses safe, painless sound waves to create real time moving images of the heart’s chambers, valves and blood flow. Unlike an ECG, which records electrical activity, an echo shows the heart’s actual structure and how well it is pumping.

Doctors use echo scans to check for:

  • Heart valve problems. 
  • Leaking or narrowing valves.
  • Heart muscle weakness or thickening.
  • Signs of heart failure.
  • Congenital heart conditions.
  • Blood clots or fluid around the heart.
  • Overall pumping function. 
  • Ejection fraction.

The scan is non-invasive, takes around 30 to 45 minutes, and requires no radiation.

Why Craigieburn Residents Choose Northside Imaging for Echo Scans

Craigieburn patients do not need to travel into central Melbourne for cardiac imaging. Northside Imaging’s Mickleham clinic sits just north of Craigieburn. It offers a genuine local alternative for heart ultrasound and related cardiac imaging.

What sets the clinic apart for Craigieburn patients:

Bulk billing available

Most services are bulk billed where Medicare eligibility applies, keeping out-of-pocket costs low.

Fast reports

Results are typically sent to your referring doctor within 24 to 48 hours, so treatment decisions are not delayed.

Modern equipment

Up-to-date ultrasound technology for clear, accurate imaging.

Free onsite parking

No hunting for a park before your appointment.

Convenient hours

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 1pm.

Whether your GP or cardiologist has ordered a routine echo or a follow-up scan to monitor an existing heart condition, the Mickleham clinic is set up to make the process simple for people living in and around Craigieburn.

What to Expect During Your Echo Appointment

Referral required

Bring a valid referral from your GP or cardiologist for Medicare rebate eligibility.

Check-in 

Arrive a few minutes early with your referral and Medicare card.

The scan

You will lie on an examination table while a sonographer moves a small handheld probe (transducer) across your chest. A small amount of gel helps transmit the sound waves.

 

No preparation needed

Most echo scans do not require fasting or special preparation, but the clinic can confirm this when you book.

Results

Your images and report are sent directly to your referring doctor, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

There is no radiation involved, and most people find the scan comfortable and stress-free.

Have questions before you book? Call the team on (03) 8658 7151. They are happy to walk you through what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the difference between an echocardiogram and an ECG?
An ECG (electrocardiogram) records the heart’s electrical activity using small sticky electrodes on the skin. It’s quick and shows heart rhythm. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to produce moving images of the heart’s structure, valves, and pumping ability. The two tests measure different things and are often ordered together for a fuller picture of heart health.
No. An echocardiogram is painless and non-invasive. You may feel slight pressure as the sonographer moves the probe across your chest to get clear images, but there’s no needle, no radiation, and no downtime afterward, you can drive and go about your day as normal.
Your images and report are sent to your referring doctor, who will go through the findings with you and explain what they mean. Depending on the result, they may request further tests, refer you to a cardiologist, adjust medication, or simply monitor the finding with a follow-up scan later on. An abnormal result doesn’t automatically mean something serious, many findings are minor or require no treatment at all.
A stress echo is a variation of the standard test that images the heart before and after exercise (or medication that mimics exercise), rather than at rest. It’s used to see how the heart performs under exertion, which can reveal problems that don’t show up on a resting scan. Your doctor will specify on the referral if this version is needed.
An echocardiogram can often show areas of heart muscle that have been damaged by a previous heart attack, since damaged muscle tends to move differently to healthy tissue. However, it isn’t the primary test used to diagnose a heart attack in progress, that relies on an ECG and blood tests. Echo is more commonly used afterward to assess how much damage occurred and how the heart has recovered.

Book Your Echo Scan Today

Northside Imaging makes it easy for Craigieburn residents to access quality cardiac ultrasound close to home, with bulk billing, fast reporting and a comfortable, modern facility.
(03) 8658 7151