Stress echocardiography

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Heart, front view

(Page 2)

You will start walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle. The pace and incline of the treadmill will gradually be increased.

Rarely, people experience chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath during the test.

The test is performed to see whether your heart muscle is getting enough blood flow and, therefore, enough oxygen when it is working hard (under stress).

The results of this stress test can help your doctor:

• Determine how well a heart treatment is working and change your treatment, if necessary
• Determine how well your heart is pumping
• Diagnose coronary artery disease
• See whether your heart is too large

Your doctor may request this test if you:

• Have new symptoms of angina or chest pain
• Have angina that is becoming worse
• Have recently had a heart attack
• Are at high risk for heart disease (before having surgery or when beginning an exercise program)
• Have heart valve problems

Review Date: 06/22/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Director, Northwestern Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Northwest. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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