What is stress echocardiography?
The process known as a stress echocardiogram assesses the efficiency with which your heart and blood arteries are pumping.
You will be asked to work out on a treadmill or stationary bike during a stress echocardiogram while your doctor monitors your heart rate and blood pressure. Your doctor will capture ultrasound images of your heart while your heart rate is at its highest to check if your heart muscles are receiving enough blood and oxygen when you exercise.
If your doctor suspects that your chest pain is being caused by coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction, often known as a heart attack, they may perform a stress echocardiography test. Additionally, this test reveals how much activity you may take if you are in cardiac rehabilitation.
How do you prepare for stress echocardiography?
- A minimum of three to four hours before the test, refrain from eating or drinking anything.
- On the day of the test, refrain from smoking since nicotine might cause your heart rate to fluctuate.
- Without first consulting, your doctor, avoid consuming caffeine-containing beverages or drugs.
- If you take medication, check with your doctor to see if you should continue taking it on the day of the exam. If you also use medicine to manage your diabetes, tell your doctor.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfy clothing. Wear supportive walking or running shoes because you'll be exercising.
What happens during stress echocardiography?
To accurately assess how your heart is operating, your doctor has to observe it while you're at rest. Ten tiny adhesive electrodes are first placed on your chest by your doctor. An electrocardiograph is connected to the electrodes. The ECG examines the electrical activity of your heart, particularly the frequency and pace of your heartbeats. During the examination, your blood pressure will probably be measured as well.
Your doctor will then do a resting echocardiogram, or ultrasound, of your heart while you are lying on your side. They'll use a transducer after applying a specific gel to your skin. This tool uses sound waves to provide pictures of the interior motion and structure of your heart.
Your doctor will then have you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike after the resting echocardiography. Your doctor could suggest you raise the intensity of your exercise, depending on your physical condition. To increase your heart rate as much as possible, you'll likely need to exercise for 6 to 10 minutes or until you start to feel fatigued.
If you get chest discomfort or pain on your left side, or if you feel weak or disoriented, call your doctor straight once. When your doctor advises you to stop working out, they run another ultrasound. In order to capture more photos of your heart beating under pressure, do this. You have time to calm down after that. You can move gently to allow your heart rate to settle.
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