What is the Stress Echocardiogram test?
Stress echocardiography is an ultrasound imaging that shows how well your heart muscle is working. Mostly, used to detect a decrease in blood flow to the heart from narrowed coronary arteries. Typically, electrodes will be placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the heart’s activity.
Rarely, people feel chest discomfort, extra or skipped heartbeats, dizziness, headache, nausea, or shortness of breath during the test.
Why is the Stress Echocardiogram Test Performed?
The test is performed to detect whether your heart muscle is getting enough blood and oxygen when working under stress.
Your doctor may order this test if you have any of these conditions:
- Angina or chest pain
- Begin an exercise program
- Heart valve problems
- Having surgery
- Recently had a heart attack
- Severe Angina
The results of the Stress Echocardiogram test helps doctors to determine:
- How well a heart treatment is working and change your treatment if needed
- How well your heart is pumping
- Diagnose coronary artery disease
- Detects whether your heart is too large
What are the Risks of the Stress Echocardiogram test
Rare complications include:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Fainting
- Heart attack
Preparation
- Do not eat or drink before midnight.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Ask your doctor if you should take any of your routine medicines on the day of the test.
- Let your doctor know if you have taken any of the following within the past 24 hours (1 day):
- Sildenafil citrate (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)