A Stress Echocardiogram is a valuable diagnostic tool that combines an exercise stress test with an echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound). It helps assess how well your heart functions when it’s put under stress, offering critical insights that can’t be obtained from resting heart tests alone.
How Does a Stress Echocardiogram Work?
The test begins with an echocardiogram of your heart while you’re at rest. This ultrasound captures detailed images of your heart’s size, function, and structure. After the initial imaging, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill, where the speed and incline gradually increase every three minutes. This exercise stresses your heart, simulating the demands placed on it during physical activity.
Once the exercise is complete, another echocardiogram is performed to observe how your heart functions under stress and during recovery. The results provide your cardiologist with crucial information about your heart’s performance and any potential abnormalities that may not be apparent when the heart is at rest.
Why Do You Need a Stress Echocardiogram?
A Stress Echocardiogram is often recommended to:
- Detect Coronary Artery Disease: It helps identify blockages or reduced blood flow in the arteries supplying the heart.
- Evaluate Heart Function: It assesses how well your heart muscles and valves are functioning under the strain of exercise.
- Diagnose Arrhythmias: It can reveal irregular heart rhythms that may occur only during physical exertion.
- Monitor Progress: For patients with known heart conditions, it helps evaluate how well treatments are working or if further interventions are needed.
What Can You Expect?
During the test, your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored closely to ensure your safety. The combined data from both the resting and post-exercise echocardiograms will give your doctor a full picture of your heart’s health, helping to guide any necessary treatment plans.
Stay informed, stay heart-healthy!
The Nepean Cardiology Team
