An echocardiogram is an ultrasound study of the heart that visualizes chambers, valves, wall motion, and ejection fraction. It detects cardiomyopathies, valvular disease, and heart failure. Doppler measurements assess flow and pressures. Underwriters rely on echo reports to quantify left-ventricular function, valve severity, and pulmonary pressures when determining mortality risk. Because echo is noninvasive and widely used, it is a primary reference for assessing cardiac fitness and need for treatment or follow-up.

When an APS lists murmur, reduced exercise tolerance, or heart failure, underwriters request an echocardiogram to quantify severity. Advisors obtain the full report with ejection fraction and valve grades to accelerate decisions. Normal echoes can move a case from rated to standard; abnormal ones may require cardiology follow-up before an offer is made.