Stress Echocardiogram
An exercise stress echocardiogram test combines an ultrasound study of the heart with walking on a treadmill. This test provides physicians with information about how the heart functions when it is made to work harder and is especially useful in diagnosing coronary artery disease, or lack of blood flow to certain areas of the heart muscle.

A dobutamine stress echocardiogram combines an ultrasound study of the heart with a medication (dobutamine) that simulates exercise for those who are unable to walk on a treadmill.

What the Test Involves
An interpreting physician, cardiac sonographer, and cardiac technologist are present during the exam, which involves:

Having 10 electrodes placed on the chest which are then connected to a special monitoring system that continuously monitors the heart rhythm.

• Blood pressure and EKG are monitored throughout the test.
• Standard resting ultrasound images of the heart are then obtained by the sonographer and entered into the computer.
• Exercise begins slowly and the treadmill gradually increases in grade and speed. The patient is instructed to report any symptoms, such as chest or arm pain, to the specially trained personnel conducting the test.
• When the physician present feels the exercise has been adequate, the patient is assisted to the exam table and a second set of ultrasound images of the heart are obtained by the sonographer.
• The interpreting physician present then compares the ultrasound images obtained before exercise to the images obtained after exercise, and sends a detailed report to the ordering physician.

The entire stress echocardiogram procedure takes approximately one to one-and-a-half hours.

Preparing for Stress Testing
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

While no meal restrictions are required, it is helpful to avoid caffeine and heavy meals immediately before the procedure and to refrain from smoking for four hours prior to the procedure.

If this particular day is your normal day to exercise, please save your energy for the treadmill and do not exercise before the exam.

Consult with your physician regarding whether any medications should be taken before or held until after this procedure. Some medications (most commonly, beta-blockers) may interfere with the test’s effectiveness.

To e-mail a cardiac related question to Cardiac Services, click here.