Stress Echocardiography
Stress Echocardiography, or stress echo, is an exercise test that helps your doctor see how well your heart pumps when made to beat harder. Harmless sound waves bounce (echo) off your heart. The sound waves show the structure and movement of your heart before and immediately after exercise. by comparing the images taken before and after exercise, your doctor can see any changes in the way your heart muscle works when under stress of exercise. This tells your doctor whether your heart is getting enough blood to meet its increased demand for oxygen.
How Stress Echo Works...
During a stress echo, a transducer (a small device that produces sound waves) is placed on your chest both before and immediately after you exercise. The sound waves bounce off your heart and are changed into images on a video screen. The doctor compared the two images to detect any changes in the way your heart responds when you exert yourself.
Before Your Stress Echo...
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Wear two-piece outfits and shoes that are comfortable for exercising.
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Don't eat for 3 to 4 hours before the test.
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Ask your doctor if you should take your usual medications that day.
During Your Stress Echo...
After you arrive for your stress echo, you'll be asked to undress from the waist up. Women are given a hospital gown to wear. A technician places a painless transducer at various places on the left side of your chest. Then pictures of your heart at rest are recorded on videotape. Your blood pressure is also monitored, and electrodes are attached to your chest to record and electrocardiogram (EKG), a test that records patterns of your heartbeat.
Next you're asked to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike until your hear is beating rapidly. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from exercising, your heart rate may be increased with medication instead of exercise. This kind of stress echo is often done in a hospital.
Finally a technician records a second set of video images of your heart immediately after you finish exercising. The doctor can then display the two sets of images side be side to compare the way your heart functions at rest and after exercise.
Tell Your Doctor If...
- You regularly take any medications.
- You experience pain in your chest, shortness of breath, dizziness or fatigue during the test.
The Time it Takes...
- Plan to arrive early to allow for check-in.
- Allow 1-2 hours from arrival to the time you can leave.
Afterward...
- Resue your normal activities
- Follow up with your doctor to discuss the results of your test.
Special Note...
- Stress echo is painless, noninvasice and involves little risk. Your doctor will discuss any possible risks of exercise with you.