What is a Stress Echocardiogram and how do I prepare?
Stress echocardiography, or stress echo, is a treadmill exercise test (the “stress” part) combined with ultrasound imaging (the “echo” part). This allows a cardiologist to learn how your heart functions when made to work harder. By comparing your pre-exercise ultrasound images with your post-execise images, your doctor can see how your heart muscles contract. This infomation suggests whether or not your heart is getting enough blood supply to meet the increased demand for oxygen with exercise. The treadmill test starts at a 10% grade and 1.7 mph, and increases every 3 minutes. You must be able to walk unassisted for this test. If you are unable to walk on a treadmill, please notify our office before the day of the test. PREPARATIONS FOR THE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM: 1. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. 2. You may eat a small meal up to 2 hours prior to testing. 3. You may drink your normal intake of fluids. 4. Please DO take your medications as usual the day of the test. 5. Testing time
