Heart Check Before the New Year: Why December Is a Smart Time to Book an Echocardiogram

December has a weird superpower: it makes people finally pay attention.

You’re wrapping up projects, thinking about your goals, planning travel, eating a little heavier, sleeping a little less, and telling yourself you’ll “reset in January.” Meanwhile, your heart is doing its job nonstop—through the stress, the caffeine, the late nights, the salty meals, the emotional rollercoaster of the holidays… all of it.

So here’s the blunt truth: waiting until “after the New Year” is how small problems become expensive surprises. If you’ve been meaning to check your heart or your doctor has recommended an echocardiogram December is a genuinely smart time to do it.

What an echocardiogram actually does ?

An echocardiogram (often called an “echo”) is an ultrasound test that creates images of your heart. It shows how your heart is structured and how it’s functioning how well it’s pumping, how the valves are working, and how blood is moving through.

It’s commonly used to help evaluate or diagnose heart conditions, and to monitor known issues over time.

Translation: it’s one of the clearest “windows” doctors use to understand what’s happening inside your chest without surgery.

Signs you shouldn’t ignore (even if you’re “busy”)

People love to normalize symptoms in December: “It’s just stress,” “It’s just holiday weight,” “It’s just anxiety,” “I’m just tired.”

Sometimes that’s true. Sometimes it’s denial in a festive outfit.

If you’ve had any of these, it’s worth discussing with a provider especially if it’s new, recurring, or getting worse:

• Shortness of breath (with activity or when lying down)

• Chest discomfort or tightness

• Unexplained fatigue that feels different

• Swelling in the legs/ankles/feet

• Dizziness, fainting, or near-fainting

• A heart murmur your provider wants evaluated

• Palpitations that are frequent or concerning

An echocardiogram is often ordered to evaluate things like heart structure and valve function, and to understand symptoms that may be related to how your heart is working.

Important: If you have sudden chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms that feel urgent don’t “book a blog-inspired appointment.” Seek emergency care.

Why December is a smart time to book

1) You stop dragging it into “someday”

Let’s be honest: January is not calmer. It’s just new chaos with fresh branding.

December is often the last window where you can close loops: finish the test, get results, follow up, and enter the new year with clarity instead of a question mark hanging over you.

Peace of mind is a real health benefit.

2) Insurance and benefit timing can make December cheaper

Many health plans reset their deductibles at the start of the new benefit year often January 1. That means if you’ve already met some (or all) of your deductible for the year, completing tests before the reset can reduce what you pay out of pocket.

Also: many people have health benefits they meant to use (and didn’t). End-of-year is when people realize they’re leaving money on the table.

No, this isn’t financial advice. It’s a reality check: look at your plan, ask what your costs would be now vs. after your benefits reset, and make a smart move.

3) Your body feels the holidays—even when you pretend it doesn’t

Holidays can pile on:

• Stress and emotional load

• More alcohol (for many people)

• Less movement

• More salty foods

• Poorer sleep

That combination can worsen symptoms you’ve been ignoring—or reveal an issue you didn’t know you had. Getting checked before you travel or before your schedule explodes in January is practical.

4) New Year motivation is cute. Medical follow-through is better.

People treat health like a mood. “I’ll start in January” sounds inspiring until February hits and nothing changes.

Booking in December turns “I should…” into “It’s done.”

What to expect at your echocardiogram appointment

Most standard echocardiograms are straightforward. A provider uses an ultrasound device on your chest to capture images of your heart and how it’s moving. Echocardiograms evaluate heart chambers, valves, pumping function, and more.

Preparation depends on the type of echo, but for many routine transthoracic echocardiograms (the common one), you may not need major changes—your provider will tell you what applies to your situation.

Who should consider scheduling before the year ends?

December is especially worth considering if:

• Your doctor has already recommended an echocardiogram and you’ve delayed it

• You’ve had symptoms (shortness of breath, chest discomfort, unexplained fatigue) and never followed up

• You have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors and you’re trying to be proactive

• You’ve had an abnormal ECG, a new murmur, or you’re monitoring a known condition

• You’re traveling soon and want to reduce uncertainty

Again: the echo is a tool to confirm what’s normal and spot what isn’t—so you’re not guessing.

The real point: don’t enter the new year with unanswered questions

Here’s the mindset shift:

• January goals are great.

• But health isn’t a vision board category.

• It’s infrastructure.

If something feels off, or your provider suggested an echocardiogram, handle it now. December is one of the most strategic times to do itb ecause it closes loops, protects your time, and may even reduce costs depending on your benefits.

Ready to book?

If you’ve been putting off your echocardiogram, make the decision like a leader: act early, not later. Get your appointment scheduled, get your results, and walk into the new year with more certainty—and less silent risk.