Exercise Stress Echocardiography

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An exercise stress echocardiography is a test that shows the action of the heart during exercise. It is also called exercise echo or stress echo. This test may show how well your heart can handle stress. Exercise is a form of body stress. The longer you exercise, the more oxygen will be needed by the body. Certain conditions may block arteries (blood vessels) of the heart, and damage heart muscles. These problems make the heart work even harder to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body. An exercise echo may help your caregiver find and treat your heart condition.
  
  
• During the test, a baseline picture of your heart is taken using an echocardiogram (ultrasound) before the exercise. You may be asked to do the exercise on a stationary bicycle, or to walk or jog on a treadmill. While doing the exercise, pictures of the heart are taken and its activity watched on an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. A caregiver will check your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. You will do the exercise until your caregiver tells you to slow down or stop. Pictures of your heart will be taken for several minutes after the test.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

An exercise stress echocardiography has risks. Problems can happen during or after the test. Your blood pressure may rise or fall, and you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, and weak. Your may feel your heart throbbing or have extra heartbeats. You may have chest pain or a heart attack. Caregivers are there before, during, and after the test to help you. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about the test, your medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your test:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

During your test:

• You may be asked to change your clothes. A caregiver puts a thick gel on your chest which may feel cold. A transducer (wand-like device that receives and sends sound waves) is placed directly above your heart. Your caregiver may press the transducer firmly as he moves it across your chest. Pictures are taken which show what your heart looks like, and how it acts before exercise. Electrodes (sticky patches) are put on your chest. The electrodes will be attached to wires that send the electrical activity of your heart to the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.
  
  
• You are asked to start exercising slowly on a stationary bicycle or a treadmill. Pictures of your heart are taken while you do the exercise. Your caregiver tells you when to speed up until you reach a target heart rate, then you are asked to get off the bicycle or treadmill and lie down. Pictures are taken again for several minutes and you may be asked to hold still. Your caregiver may also ask you to hold your breath while the pictures are taken. The gel may be wiped off of your chest, and the electrodes removed. In some cases, an ECG monitor may stay in place for a period of time to watch your heart after the test.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Exercise Stress Echocardiography (Inpatient Care)