An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of the heart. Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves. Echocardiograms can detect various diseases of the heart, including dysfunction of the ventricles and atria, structural heart problems, and inflammation and scarring. The Swiss Atlas of Healthcare shows the overall frequency of echocardiograms, as well as frequency in inpatient and outpatient settings.