You've probably heard of or even had one of these tests yourself. Capable of assessing cardiovascular health, they are frequently chosen by most cardiologists. But do you know the difference between them?

Also called an ECG, an electrocardiogram is a cardiac analysis test that measures the heart rhythm and the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart muscle.

A healthy heart at rest maintains a heart rate of around 60 to 90 beats per minute. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can monitor both the frequency, rhythm, and intensity of the heartbeats.

It is usually recommended as part of the annual check-up routine for men and women, generally starting at age 35-40.

Echocardiography differs primarily in how it captures information. While ECGs are based on the heart's electrical impulses, echocardiography uses high-frequency sounds.

These sounds, when directed at the heart, are capable of constructing clear and detailed images of the entire cardiac structure, such as valves, chambers, major veins, and arteries.

The main difference from an electrocardiogram (ECG) is that, while the latter focuses primarily on heart functions such as frequency, rhythm, and intensity, an echocardiogram is performed to evaluate the anatomy and structure of the heart and what this may indicate.

In general, echocardiography is performed to investigate heart problems such as heart murmurs, arrhythmias, heart size, power, and post-infarction conditions.

While an electrocardiogram is used to investigate heart problems such as arrhythmia, pericarditis, heart attack, and myocarditis.