An exercise stress echocardiogram is a test to check how well your heart is working. This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) and a computer to make images of your heart before and after exercise. Ultrasound images that are taken before you exercise (resting echocardiogram) will show how much blood is getting to your heart muscle and how well your heart muscle and heart valves are functioning.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.

• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.

• Any bleeding problems you have.

• Any surgeries you have had.

• Any medical conditions you have.

• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

What happens before the test?

What happens during the test?

• You will take off your clothes from the waist up and put on a hospital gown.

• Electrodes or electrocardiogram (ECG) patches may be placed on your body. The electrodes or patches are then connected to a device that monitors your heart rate and rhythm.

• A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm.

• You will lie down on a table for an ultrasound exam before you exercise. A gel will be applied to your chest to help sound waves pass through your skin.

• A handheld device, called a transducer, will be pressed against your chest and moved over your heart. The transducer produces sound waves that travel to your heart and bounce back (or “echo” back) to the transducer. These sound waves will be captured in real-time and changed into images of your heart that can be viewed on a video monitor. The images will be recorded on a computer and reviewed by your health care provider.

• Once the ultrasound is complete, you will start exercising by walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bicycle.

• Your blood pressure and heart rhythm will be monitored while you exercise.

• The exercise will gradually get harder or faster.

• You will exercise until:

  • Your heart reaches a target level.

  • You are too tired to continue.

  • You cannot continue because of chest pain, weakness, or dizziness.

• You will have another ultrasound exam immediately after you stop exercising.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What can I expect after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.

• It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Feel dizzy or light-headed.

• Have a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Have nausea or you are vomiting.

• Have a headache.

• Feel short of breath.

Get help right away if you:

• Develop pain or pressure:

  • In your chest.

  • In your jaw or neck.

  • Between your shoulder blades.

  • Radiating down your left arm.

• Faint.

• Have trouble breathing.

Summary

• An exercise stress echocardiogram is a test that uses ultrasound to check how well your heart works before and after exercise.

• Before the test, follow instructions from your health care provider about stopping medicines and avoiding caffeine, nicotine, tobacco, and certain foods and drinks.

• During the test, your blood pressure and heart rhythm will be monitored while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.

• It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.