Stress Echocardiography: What to Expect
A stress echocardiogram helps us understand how your heart works when it is asked to do more. It combines ultrasound pictures with exercise or carefully controlled medication. Knowing the steps beforehand can help you feel more confident; your team will explain the test and answer your questions.
Before your appointment
Follow your department’s instructions about eating, drinking and medicines. Some heart medicines can affect the test, but do not stop them unless your care team specifically advises you to. Bring your medication list and tell the team about asthma, allergies, recent changes in symptoms or difficulties exercising. Wear comfortable clothes and suitable shoes if an exercise test is planned.
During the test
First, ultrasound pictures are taken with a probe and gel on your chest. ECG stickers and a blood pressure cuff allow the team to monitor your response.
For an exercise stress echo, you walk on a treadmill or pedal a bicycle, with effort increased gradually. Pictures are taken during exercise or immediately afterwards. If a medication-based test is more suitable, medicine such as dobutamine is given through a cannula to make the heart work harder while you lie down. Ultrasound contrast may be used if clearer images are needed.
Comfort and reassurance
You may notice your heart beating faster or feel breathless, as with exercise. Tell the team immediately about chest discomfort, dizziness or any other concern. The test can be stopped when needed; you are not expected to push through worrying symptoms. Ultrasound does not use X-ray radiation. The team will discuss relevant risks before starting and monitor you throughout.
After the test and your results
You rest until your heart rate and blood pressure have recovered. Follow the advice about activities and driving, particularly after medication-based testing. Your cardiologist will explain the findings and whether further tests or treatment are needed. A normal stress echo is reassuring about the heart’s response under the tested conditions, but does not rule out every form of coronary plaque.
Discuss your heart care
Book through Mediclinic and search for Dr. Mohammad Felo, or use the Mediclinic app.
This is general information. The type of test and preparation will be chosen for your individual needs.
Further reading: Gloucestershire Hospitals: Exercise stress echocardiogram and Kingston and Richmond: Dobutamine stress echo.