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.