An echo is a heart scan. A person moves a small scanner over your chest with some gel. Sound waves make a picture of your heart on a screen. Ask the team to show you what will happen at your appointment.
For you · ages 6–10
Hello, heart explorer.
You can learn a little, ask a lot, and go at your own pace. Read this with a grown-up if you like.
No scores. Just exploring.Explore your heart story
Follow blood on a little journey. Then see what can be different with a heart condition.
Your grown-up or heart team can help you find the name. You can still explore the activities below.
01 / Meet your heart
A busy little pump
Your heart pumps blood around your body. Blood carries oxygen, which your body needs.
Some children are born with a heart that has a different shape or works differently. This is called a congenital heart condition. “Congenital” means you were born with it.
Your heart condition is only one part of who you are. You have your own favourite things, ideas and questions.
02 / Get to know the kit
What is that for?
An ECG records the tiny electrical signals that make your heart beat. Sticky patches connect to a machine. Taking the stickers off may feel like taking off a plaster. You can tell the team how it feels.
A small sensor helps the team measure how much oxygen is in your blood. This test is called pulse oximetry. You can ask where the sensor will go and what the numbers mean.
03 / Have a little think
What do you think?
Pick an idea. You can change your mind and try the other one.
04 / How are you feeling?
There is room for every feeling.
You might have more than one feeling, and it might change. Choose a word if you want to.
There is no right feeling to choose. You can leave this blank.
Your questions belong here.
You could ask a grown-up to help you write one down:
- Can you show me what will happen?
- Who can stay with me?
- What might it feel like?
- Can you explain that word again?
If something feels uncomfortable or you are worried, tell a grown-up or someone on your team.
For grown-ups: sources and review
Original introductory learning text, based on the NHS pages below. Sources accessed 9 October 2026. Independent clinical review pending.
- NHS: Congenital heart disease — children introductory heart learning; heart differences; pulse oximetry
- NHS: Echocardiogram — children equipment card; echo; ultrasound; gel and scanner
- NHS: Electrocardiogram (ECG) — children equipment card; ECG; electrical activity; sticky patches
The heart emblem is decorative, not an anatomy diagram. This page is for learning together; your child’s team can explain their own tests and care.