01/01/2026
EKG vs. Echocardiogram — What’s the Difference?
EKGs and echocardiograms both check your heart, but they do very different things.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
⚡ EKG = measures your heart’s electrical activity
🫀 Echocardiogram = ultrasound images of your heart’s structure
EKG:
• 5–10 minutes
• Great for arrhythmias & heart attacks
• Results are instant
• Costs around ~$50
Echocardiogram:
• 20–60 minutes
• Shows valves, pumping strength & structural issues
• Provides real-time moving images
Doctors choose the test based on your symptoms — palpitations? chest pain? shortness of breath? Each tool tells a different part of the story.
Understanding both tests helps you make informed decisions about your heart health. ❤️