Stress Echocardiogram
What is Stress Echo?
Stress echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound imaging to determine how the heart muscles respond to stress.
Stress echo is mainly used to diagnose and evaluate coronary artery disease.
A stress echocardiogram includes the following steps:
- A resting echocardiogram will be done first.
- You will exercise until you reach the target heart rate (220 minus your age). This helps reveal how your heart works when you are active.
- Your blood pressure and heart rhythm (ECG) will be monitored throughout the procedure.
- Ultrasound images will be recorded during the procedure.
- Another echocardiogram is taken immediately after your target heart rate has been reached.
- The ultrasound images will reveal any parts of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen because of blocked arteries.
- This test differs from an exercise stress test, which does not use ultrasound images.
How to prepare for the test
Do not take the following medications the day before and the morning of your test:
- Acebutolol (Sectral)
- Atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic)
- Bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac)
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Cialis
- Diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac)
- Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne)
- Levitra
- Metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Nadolol (Corgard, Corzide)
- Pindolol (Visken)
- Propranolol (Inderal, Inderide LA)
- Sotalol (Betapace) *Discuss with ordering doctor
- Timolol (Blocadren, Timolide)
- Viagra
- Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
Remember to:
- Bring your blood pressure medications and inhalers (if applicable) with you the day of your test.
- Take all other medicines that are not listed above with a small amount of water the morning of your test.
How the test will feel?
- Electrodes (conductive patches) will be placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the heart's activity. The preparation of the electrode sites on your chest may produce a mild burning or stinging sensation.
- The blood pressure cuff on your arm will be inflated every few minutes, producing a squeezing sensation that may feel tight. Baseline measurements of heart rate and blood pressure will be taken before you start exercising.
- You will start walking on a treadmill. The pace and incline of the treadmill will gradually be increased.
- Rarely, people experience chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath during the test.
Why the test is performed?
The test is performed to see whether your heart muscle is getting enough blood flow and, therefore, enough oxygen when it is working hard (under stress). The purpose is to discover and potentially treat any blockage or disease before serious or life-threatening problems develop.
Your doctor may request this test if you:
- have new symptoms of angina or chest pain
- have angina that is becoming worse
- have recently had a heart attack
- are at high risk for heart disease (before having surgery or when beginning an exercise program)
- have heart valve problems
Considerations
A stress echocardiogram is a very effective, noninvasive test that can help determine whether you have blockages in your coronary arteries. If there are blockages, it can determine the severity of the problem. Early diagnosis and monitoring of heart disease allows treatment to begin early.
Test results
If a Cardiology Associates of Gainesville (CAG) physician or nurse practitioner ordered your test, you should receive your test results either by telephone or by mail in approximately 7 business days. After that time, if you have not received your test results, you may call our office at 352-264-2500 ext. 499 to reach our patient message center. You will need to leave your name, telephone number, date and type of testing, and the ordering physician=s name. You will receive a call back within 24 hours with an update regarding your test results.
If a physician other than CAG ordered your test, please contact their office for your test results.