What is Stress Echocardiography?
Coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries to the heart) continues to be the
number one cause of death and disability in our country.
The search continues for an ideal screening test to detect this problem in individuals
with few or no symptoms. The standard treadmill test has generally been used for
detection of heart disease. Proper evaluation of test rests depends on the
interpretation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) during and after exercise.
Patients with pacemakers, previous heart disorders or those who take certain types of
medications may have abnormal ECGs and thus interpretation of the study is difficult or
even impossible.
The echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound study of the heart. Harmless,
high-frequency sound waves are transmitted into the chest and reflected back (echo) to the
ultrasound computer. The computer then creates an image of the heart as it beats and
displays it on a monitor for viewing and recording.
By combining the standard treadmill test with a two-dimensional echocardiography test,
a sensitive method of diagnosing coronary artery disease has evolved. Termed
"stress echocardiography", this technology has been proven effective in
diagnosing coronary artery disease in patients whom the ECG may offer little
information. It has been shown that heart muscle with poor blood flow may move
(squeeze) normally at rest but lose its ability to contract following exercise.
Pictures taken with the echo machine before and after exercise may detect this loss of
contractility.
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Stress echocardiography
is performed by obtaining four standard views of the heart at rest before performing
exercise on the treadmill. These images are placed into a digital computer for
analysis at a later time. The patient then performs a standard exercise treadmill
test, which is followed by repeat echo to obtain the same four standard views of the
heart. Following the test, both sets of images (before and after exercise) are
placed side by side on the computer screen for comparison of heart muscle motion. |
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Before Your Test
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When you schedule your stress test, you will be asked to bring a
current list of your medications with you.
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Ask if there are any medications that you should not take before
your test.
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Unless told otherwise, do not eat or drink for three hours before
the test.
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Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and a two-piece
outfit.
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Females will be asked to wear a paper cape from the waist up.
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You should allow extra time to check in at the front desk.
Preliminary rests are available immediately after the test. The final results
will be sent to your physician within a few days. The information that is provided
by the stress test will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis of your heart and
develop your treatment plan. Your doctor can review your test results and your
treatment plan with you in detail.
Report any symptoms
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Chest, back, arm or jaw discomfort
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Shortness of breath
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Fatigue
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Dizziness
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Leg cramps or muscle fatigue
During Your Test
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You will be asked to read and sign a consent form
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Small electrodes will be applied to your chest for monitoring your
heart.
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A blood pressure monitor will be applied to your arm.
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A pulse oximeter will be applied to one of your right fingers.
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You will be asked to lie on your left side while resting echo
images are recorded.
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You will be shown how to use the treadmill. The treadmill
starts out slowly and gets faster and steeper at three minute intervals.
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You should try to exercise on the treadmill as long as possible.
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It is important that you tell the physician if you have any
symptoms.
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The treadmill will be stopped when you reach your target heart
rate or if you have any symptoms.
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Your blood pressure, heart rate and oximetry will be monitored before, during and after
the test.
Preliminary results are available immediately after the test. The
final results will be sent to your physician within a few days. The information that
is provided by the stress echo test will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis of
your heart and develop your treatment plan. Your doctor can review your test results
and your treatment plan with you in detail.
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