What is Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
Exercise stress echocardiogram is a test to check how well your heart is working. This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) and a computer to make images of your heart before and after exercise.
Ultrasound images that are taken before you exercise (your resting echocardiogram) will show how much blood is getting to your heart muscle and how well your heart muscle and heart valves are functioning.
During the next part of this test, you will walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike to see how exercise affects your heart. While you exercise, the electrical activity of your heart will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (ECG). Your blood pressure will also be monitored.
You may have this test if you:
- Have chest pain or other symptoms of a heart problem.
- Recently had a heart attack or heart surgery.
- Have heart valve problems.
- Have a condition that causes narrowing of the blood vessels that supply your heart (coronary artery disease).
- Have a high risk of heart disease and are starting a new exercise program.
- Have a high risk of heart disease and need to have major surgery.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
- Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
- Chest pain.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Increased or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Heart attack (very rare).
What happens before the procedure?
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. You may be asked to avoid all forms of caffeine for 24 hours before your procedure, or as told by your health care provider.
- Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to the test.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes, for 4 hours before the test or as told by your health care provider. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
What happens during the procedure?
- You will take off your clothes from the waist up and put on a hospital gown.
- A technician will place electrodes on your chest.
- A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm.
- You will lie down on a table for an ultrasound exam before you exercise. Gel will be rubbed on your chest, and a handheld device (transducer) will be pressed against your chest and moved over your heart.
- Then, you will start exercising by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle.
- Your blood pressure and heart rhythm will be monitored while you exercise.
- The exercise will gradually get harder or faster.
- You
will exercise until:
- Your heart reaches a target level.
- You are too tired to continue.
- You cannot continue because of chest pain, weakness, or dizziness.
- You will have another ultrasound exam after you stop exercising.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored until they return to your normal levels.
Summary
- An exercise stress echocardiogram is a test that uses ultrasound to check how well your heart works before and after exercise.
- Before the test, follow instructions from your health care provider about stopping medications, avoiding nicotine and tobacco, and avoiding certain foods and drinks.
- During the test, your blood pressure and heart rhythm will be monitored while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram, Care After
This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
After the procedure, it is common to have:
- Mild soreness.
- Mild fatigue.
You should not have any new symptoms after this test.
Follow these instructions at home:
- After your stress test, you should be able to return to your usual activities and diet.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You feel dizzy or light-headed.
- You have a fast or irregular heartbeat.
- You have nausea or vomiting.
- You have a headache.
- You feel short of breath.
Get help right away if:
- You
develop pain or pressure:
- In your chest.
- In your jaw or neck.
- Between your shoulder blades.
- Radiating down your left arm.
- You faint.
- You have trouble breathing.
