A Stress Echocardiogram incorporates a treadmill test along with imaging of the heart utilizing ultrasound (sound waves). The test will help your doctor determine if there are any structural abnormalities within your heart and if there are any areas of your heart muscle that do not receive enough blood supply due to coronary artery disease. Areas of your heart, which may have been damaged from a previous heart attack, may also be seen.

A full resting ultrasound will be obtained before the treadmill portion of the test and images will also be obtained immediately after exercise. During the treadmill, you will be continuously monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm and ECG changes. The treadmill starts slowly with a slight elevation and both increase every three minutes until your heart rate reaches a target that is based on you age. The treadmill portion usually lasts a minimum of 5 minutes but the entire test takes approximately one hour.

The test is used to:

• Determine how well your heart tolerates activity
• Evaluate the function of your heart and valves
• Determine your likelihood of having coronary artery disease (blocked arteries)
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan

Preparing for the test:

• You may have a light meal and fluids prior to the test.
• Take all of your regular medications the morning of the test, unless otherwise instructed by your physician or procedure scheduler.
• Wear comfortable two-piece clothing and shoes that you can walk rapidly in. You will need to change into an exam cape to wear during the procedure.
• Please remove all neck jewelry prior to the test.
• If you use an inhaler for breathing, bring it to the test.

What to expect during the test:

• Before the test, a cardiac sonographer (an allied health professional who has been trained specifically to perform ultrasound examinations) will place small electrodes to your chest. The electrodes will be attached to an electrocardiograph (ECG) monitor, which charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test.
• Before you begin to exercise, the sonographer will perform a resting ECG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.
• You will be asked to lie on your left side on an exam table so he or she can perform a resting echo. The sonographer will place a transducer on several areas of your chest. It will have a small amount of cool gel on the end, which will not harm your skin. This gel helps get clearer pictures of the heart’s movement. This should not hurt. Sounds are part of the Doppler signal. You will be able to hear the sounds of your blood passing through your heart valves during the test.
• Then, you will exercise either on a treadmill at least 5 minutes. The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and gradually increase your rate of exercise. It is normal for your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and perspiration to increase. This information will allow your physician to assess your heart’s ability to function.
• At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. If you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort, short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, irregular heart beats or if you have any other unusual symptoms, tell the stress lab personnel immediately.
• The lab personnel will watch for changes on the ECG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.
• When you cannot exercise any longer:

  you will get off the treadmill, quickly return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram. It is normal to feel a little unsteady when getting off the treadmill and onto the exam table for the echo, as you stop exercising suddenly.

• Your heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will continue to be monitored after exercising until the levels are returning to normal.

The appointment takes about 60 minutes. The average exercise time is usually between 5 and 12 minutes.

What to expect after the test:

After the cardiologist reviews your test, the results will go into your electronic medical record. Your physician will have access to the results and will discuss them with you. Ask you doctor if you have any questions about the echocardiogram. You should expect to receive the results of your test within 7-10 days.