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A stress echocardiogram actually combines two common tests: the exercise stress test and the echocardiogram. It involves walking on a treadmill while your heart is continuously monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a nurse to assess your heart function at both rest and during exercise. Also an echocardiogram will be obtained both before and after exercising.
What will happen during the test?
The entire test will take approximately 1 1/2 hours. You will be asked to remove your shirt or blouse and given a towel or gown to keep you comfortable and maintain privacy. After lying on an examination table, the technologist will apply a colorless gel to your chest. A transducer will be moved across your chest to record different views of your heart.
First, resting images of the heart are obtained. Second, an exercise tolerance test (ETT) or “stress” test is performed. The stress test measures some aspects of your heart’s performance during physical activity. Electrodes will be placed on the chest the same as an EKG. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and EKG will be recorded at rest, usually while you are lying on your back, and again when standing.
You will then be asked to perform a “graded” exercise test on a motor-driven treadmill. The exercise protocol that you will follow will be determined by the nurse supervising your test, but will begin at a relatively easy level and become progressively more difficult with each subsequent stage. Your blood pressure, heart rate and EKG will be recorded at frequent intervals during exercise and after exercise. The nurse may stop the test at any time for medical reasons. You may ask to stop the test at any time because of significant fatigue or discomfort. However, we encourage you to exercise as long as possible so that we may assess your heart under maximum stress.
When maximum stress is reached the treadmill will be stopped fairly quickly. Once the treadmill is stopped you will be asked to immediately sit and then roll onto your left hip with your left arm under your head. The technologist will quickly use the transducer to capture the stress portion echocardiogram images for one minute. You may be asked to exhale and hold it for as long as you can during this part of the test. The technologist will record and store both the rest and stress echocardiogram images.
What is the preparation for the test?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercise. Please eat only a light meal before your test keeping in mind you will be exercising.
**If you are taking any of the following medications, they must be held for 2 days prior to the test unless otherwise specified by your physician:
- Acebutolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Blocadren
- Brevibloc
- Bystolic
- Cardizem
- Coreg (Carvedilol)
- Corgard
- Diltiazem
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- Esmolol
- Inderal
- Innopran
- Kerlone
- Labetalol
- Levatol
- Metroprolol
- Nadalol
- Pindolol
- Penbutolo
- Propanolol
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- Sectral
- Tenocmin
- Tenoretic
- Timolol
- Toprol
- Trandate
- Verapamil
- Visken
- Ziac
- Zebeta
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**Failure to hold these medications will result in rescheduling of your procedure. If you have any questions regarding your medications, please call for clarification.
What should I bring with me to the Stress Echocardiogram?
- Inhalers, if you use them
- Medications in original bottles
- Insurance card
- Referral for stress echo test if required by your insurance company
- Previous echocardiogram report if from outside facility
Once your appointment has been scheduled it is very important that you keep that appointment. If you are unable to keep the appointment, please give the office at least 24 hours notice that you are canceling your test. Our busy schedule requires tight scheduling restrictions, and it would be appreciated if you would notify our office if you will be late for your appointment. Thank you for your cooperation.
Who will give me the test results?
After a review of the study, your medical history, and other imaging modalities and previous tests by an Upstate Cardiologist, a report will be sent to the ordering physician. The ordering physician will then review the results and discuss them with you.
If your test was ordered by one of our Upstate Cardiologists, you will receive your results at your follow-up appointment. If you do not have a follow-up appointment, you may call the office in 1 to 2 weeks for your results. This allows your Cardiologist time to review the echo results and call you, or to instruct his nurse to contact you with results.
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