WHAT IS A STRESS

 ECHOCARDIOGRAM?

 

Stress echocardiography is a test

 that uses ultrasound imaging to

show how well your heart muscle

 is working to pump blood to your

body. It is most often used to

detect a decrease in blood flow

to the heart from narrowing in the

 coronary arteries.

 

This test is done at a medical

center or health care provider's

 office.

 

A resting echocardiogram will

be done first. While you lie on

your left side with your left arm

out, a small device called a

transducer is held against your

chest. A special gel is used to

help the ultrasound waves

get to your heart.

 

Most people will walk on a

treadmill (or pedal on an exercise

 bicycle). Slowly (about every 3

minutes), you will be asked to walk

 (or pedal) faster and on an incline.

It is like being asked to walk fast

or jog up a hill.

 

In most cases, you will need to

walk or pedal for around 5 to 15

minutes, depending on your level

 of fitness and your age. Your

provider will ask you

 to stop:

 

when your heart is beating

at the target rate

 

when you are too tired

to continue

 

if you are having chest pain or

a change in your blood pressure

that worries the provider

administering the test

 

If you are not able to exercise,

you will get a drug, such as

dobutamine, through a vein

(intravenous line). This medicine

will make your heart beat faster

and harder, similar to when you

exercise.

 

Your blood pressure and heart

rhythm (ECG) will be monitored

throughout the procedure.

 

More echocardiogram images will

 be taken while your heart rate is

increasing, or when it reaches its

peak. The images will show

whether any parts of the heart

muscle do not work as well when

 your heart rate increases. This is a

 sign that part of the heart may

not be getting enough blood or

oxygen because of narrowed or

 blocked arteries.

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