Stress Echocardiogram: Get the answers you need for a healthy heart
A stress echocardiogram is a test that helps your doctor see how your heart responds to exercise. If you’re worried about your heart health, this test can provide important information. For example, if you have a blocked artery, your muscles might not function properly under stress (which is exercise in this case).
By comparing images of your heart under stress with those at rest, your doctor can see how well your heart is working. This test is often recommended if you have chest pain or a history of coronary artery disease.
How Does It Work?
During the stress echocardiogram, a technician will apply small, flat, and sticky patches called electrodes to your chest to monitor your heart rate. Additionally, a blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to record your blood pressure throughout the test.
While you are resting, a sonographer will perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram. To obtain the echocardiogram images, you will lie on your left side, and the sonographer will hold an ultrasound wand in different positions on your chest.
Once you finish exercising, you will return to the exam table for a repeat echocardiogram, and the images obtained from both the resting and exercise echocardiograms will be compared to assess your heart’s function under stress.
Our team will guide you through every step of the process and make sure you feel comfortable and informed throughout the test.