It is carried out using a probe moved over the thorax. This test is painless and harmless to the body (ultrasound is not x-ray). It can be practiced at any age and is prescribed as part of the diagnosis or monitoring of certain conditions, namely: -diseases of the heart valves; -heart defects; -heart failure; -pathologies of the heart muscle and of the pericardium (envelope surrounding the heart); -diseases of the thoracic aorta; -arterial hypertension (hypertension); -pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); -angina.