Stress Echocardiography

What does it show us?
A stress echocardiogram (stress echo) uses ultrasound to image the heart in real time. From these images we begin by measuring the chambers of the heart to determine what you could call a resting baseline of the heart’s function. Next we take four resting images and compare them to four after exercise images. The doctor relies on a combination of factors that are recorded during the test, number one being how patient felt before, during, and after the exercise portion . Number two is the interpretation of the EKG, and finally the ultrasound pictures are examined. The doctor uses all of this cumulative information to determine the results of the stress test.

Why do we do stress echoes?
A stress echo is often used to pinpoint the cause of chest pain. Usually after a stress echo the doctor can decide if the cause of the chest pain is related to any blockage in the arteries that feed the heart. The stress test also provides a window into the patient’s cardiovascular fitness, measuring the hearts response to, and the recovery from exercise.