Pharmacologic Stress Echocardiography

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pharmacologic stress echocardiography is a test that shows the action of the heart under stress. The test uses medicines to make the heart work just as it does when you exercise. The medicines will cause the heart to work harder and pump more oxygen-rich blood to the body. It is done for people who have heart-related symptoms but cannot do an exercise stress test. Actual pumping of the heart and areas of the heart that are not working well are seen on a monitor and recorded.
  
  
• A picture of your heart while you are resting is taken using an echocardiogram (ultrasound) before the medicine is given. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to take images of the heart. Images before giving the medicines are compared with those during and after to know how the heart responds to stress. The activity of the heart will also be watched on a monitor using an electrocardiogram (ECG). After all of the medicine has been given, more pictures are taken.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Having a pharmacologic stress echocardiography has certain risks. Problems can happen during or after the test. You may have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). Your blood pressure may increase or decrease, and you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, and weak. You may feel your heart throbbing or have extra heartbeats, 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: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
  
  
• Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

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. A picture of your heart at rest is recorded. Electrodes (sticky patches) are put on your chest. The electrodes will be attached to wires that transmit the electrical activity of your heart to the ECG monitor.
  
  
• Medicine is given slowly and constantly through the IV line. Your heart activity is watched during and after the medicine has been given. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm are also checked regularly. After receiving medicine, you may be asked to hold still and hold your breath while more pictures are taken.

After your test:

• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. 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.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page