Stress Echocardiogram

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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A stress echocardiogram (echo) is an ultrasound used to see how your heart works under stress. Your heart may be put under stress with exercise or medicine. An echo shows your heart structures and how well your heart muscle is pumping. It also shows how blood flows through your heart.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call 911 for any of the following:

• You have any of the following signs of a heart attack:
  • Squeezing, pressure, or pain in your chest
  • You may also have any of the following:
    • Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arm
    • Shortness of breath
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Lightheadedness or a sudden cold sweat

Seek care immediately if:

• You feel weak, dizzy, or faint.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have nausea or are vomiting.
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or you have a rash.
• You have pain, redness, or swelling in the area where the medicine was injected.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Heart-healthy tips:

• Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause heart and lung damage. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
• Create an exercise plan with your healthcare provider. Do not begin an exercise plan before you talk to your healthcare provider. Exercise helps to lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, talk to your healthcare provider about how to lose weight. A weight loss of 10% can improve your heart health.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your meal plan. Choose low-fat foods, such as skim or 1% fat milk, low-fat cheese and yogurt, fish, chicken (without skin), and lean meats. Eat two 4-ounce servings of fish high in omega-3 fats each week, such as salmon, fresh tuna, and herring. Do not eat foods that are high in sodium, such as canned foods, potato chips, salty snacks, and cold cuts. Put less table salt on your food.
• Limit or do not drink alcohol. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drink alcohol and how much is safe to drink. A drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.

Follow up with your doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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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.

Further information

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