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A Stress Echo is a specialized ultrasound of
the heart incorporating exercise to assess the
function of the heart under stress. This procedure
examines the structure and function of the heart
before and after exercise.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
No food or drink 2 hours before having the test.
You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes
for walking on a treadmill. A 2 piece outfit
and trainers would be ideal.
How is the procedure performed?
Your skin is prepared for the ECG electrodes
(sticky dots) by shaving (for men) and wiping
with an alcohol swab to clean the area of skin.
ECG electrodes are placed on the cleaned areas
and the leads from the ECG machine are attached
to the dots.
You be asked to lie on a bed on your left side and a sonographer will take ultrasound
images of your heart at rest. This will take approximately 20 minutes. You will
then be asked to stand on the treadmill to begin the exercise part of the test.
The technician will take your blood pressure at rest (they will keep an eye on
your blood pressure and heart rate throughout the test). The test on the treadmill
is set up in stages. The first stage is a slow walking pace with the next stages
increasing in both speed and incline. You will not be required to walk as fast
as you are capable of. The goal of the walking phase is to increase your heart
rate to a certain level. Once you have reached either the target heart rate or
the Cardiologist feels you have done enough, you will be quickly taken from the
treadmill and back onto the bed (in the same position as before). The sonographer
will take more ultrasound images of your heart while your heart rate is increased.
This will take approximately 90 seconds. The Cardiologist will then be able to
compare the images of your heart at rest with the images of your heart after
exercise.
Procedure Time: 75 minutes
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FCSC › surgical
procedures › Stress Echocardiogram |
| False Creek Surgical Centre #600,
555 West 8 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, BC, Canada |
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