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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