Stress Echocardiogram

During a stress echocardiogram, you wear small patches (electrodes) on your chest which are attached to an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor and measure your heart's electrical activity during the test. A sonographer measures your resting heart rate and blood pressure; this is called a resting EKG.

Next you will have an echocardiogram (echo) which uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart, showing the size and shape of your heart.

A device called a transducer is moved back and forth over your chest, sending special sound waves through your chest wall to your heart. The sound waves bounce off the structures of your heart and a computer converts these sound waves into pictures on a screen.

After the echo, you exercise on a treadmill or a stationary cycle, called an exercise stress test. Your lab technician will have you gradually increase your intensity of exercise and you exercise until you are exhausted. Your lab technician watches for any changes on the EKG monitor. When you cannot exercise any longer, you will lie down and have another echo.

The test shows the size and shape of your heart as well as well your heart chambers and valves are working. It is mainly used to identify areas of poor blood flow to your heart caused by a narrowing of your coronary arteries.

Your doctor will talk with you about the results and answer any questions you may have.