Consumer Information

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.

GETTING READY:

The week before your test:

Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your test. Do not drive yourself home.
Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
Tell your caregiver if you are taking blood pressure medicines or medicines for your blood vessels. He may ask you to stop taking these for at least 48 hours before your test.
If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver for special instructions about what you may eat and drink before your tests. If you use medicine to treat diabetes, your caregiver may have special instructions about using it before the tests. You may need to check your blood sugar more often before and after having your tests.
If you are a female, tell your caregiver if you are or think that you might be pregnant.
You may need to have some other tests done before the pharmacologic stress echocardiography. Ask your caregiver for more information about tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The night before your test:

Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your test:

Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of your test. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring all the medicines you are taking, including the pill bottles, with you to the hospital.
Do not wear tight-fitting clothes on the day of your test. Wear walking shoes in case you need to exercise during the test.
You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

TREATMENT:

What will happen:

You may be asked to change your clothes. A caregiver will put a thick gel on your chest which may feel cold. A transducer (wand-like device that receives and sends sound waves) will be placed directly above your heart. Your caregiver will press the transducer firmly as he moves it across your chest. Pictures of the heart at rest will be recorded using an echocardiogram (ultrasound). Electrodes (sticky patches) will be put on your chest then attached to wires to the ECG monitor.
Medicine will be given slowly and constantly through an IV line placed in your arm. The activity of your heart will be watched during and after the medicine has been given. Your blood pressure, and heart rate and rhythm will also be checked regularly. After the medicine is given you may be asked to hold still or hold your breath while more pictures are taken.

After your test: Before you leave, a caregiver will remove the IV line. The electrodes on your chest are also removed. You can then get dressed. Ask for help if you need it. If you are staying in the hospital after the test, caregivers will take you to your room. If you plan to go home after the test, but need to wait for test results, bring a friend or family member to wait with you. They can support you during and after the test.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

You cannot make it to your test.
You have a fever (increased body temperature).
You have questions or concerns about your test or medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You have nausea (upset stomach).
You have chest pain or discomfort that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back.
You are sweating more than the usual or have trouble breathing all of a sudden.

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.

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