Stress Echocardiogram


What does Stress Echocardiography mean?

A stress Echocardiography is a process which performed to examine the wellness of our cardiac condition and arteries. It also defines if these organs are working fine or not. Stress Echocardiography is also known as an echocardiography stress test, stress echo etc.

At the time of stress echocardiography, we will work out on a treadmill or stationary bike, and the attendant doctor will observe our Blood Pressure and also the cardiac pulse.

The time when our heart rate attains the top level, the doctor will go through Ultrasound image of our heart to define if our heart is getting sufficient blood as well as oxygen when exercising.

The physician can prescribe a Stress echocardiography test when we go through pain in the chest and if they think the pain is occurring because of Coronary Artery Syndrome or myocardial necrosis which means this is a cardiac arrest. Furthermore, the test can find out the level of work out we can do while we are in cardiac treatment.

This test also shows the effects of some cardiac surgeries as example Angioplasty, Bypass Grafting, Angioplasty, Anti-arrhythmic medications Anti-angina etc.

Perils of stress echocardiography


Though the test considered as secure and not harmful to our health, some complications may occur such as a fluctuating heart rate, vertigo, swooning, cardiac arrest etc.

Preparation for an exercise stress test


Generally, this exercise stress test takes place in an Echocardiography Lab, which is also known as echo lab other than it also happens in the doctor’s chambers. The test needs 45 to 60 minutes to complete.

Before going for the test, there are some critical issues that we should keep in mind. We should not have any food and intake any liquid for 3/4 hours earlier to the test. We should not smoke cigarettes on the test day as nicotine may hamper our heartbeat. We should also avoid liquid containing caffeine before consulting with the attendant doctor.

We should discontinue taking some specific cardiac medicines after consulting with the doctor, for example, Isosorbide-mononitrate (IsordilTitradose), Isosorbide-dinitrate, nitroglycerin and beta-blockers before the test. Wearing comfortable and relaxing dress and shoes is a must for the test.

Process of stress echocardiography


Echocardiography while resting: The doctor will examine our heart rate while taking rest for obtaining a concept of the wellness of our heart and how it works. Then the doctor starts to put ten little adhesive scraps which are known as electrodes on our upper body. An (ECG) Electrocardiograph connects with the wires.

The ECG defines the cardiac electrical action significantly the beat as well as the promptness of our heart. The doctor will measure our blood pressure during the test too. After that, the doctor will make us lie on our side, and he will execute an ultrasound or resting echocardiogram of our heart.

He will apply a particular clot to our upper body and use a tool which is known as a transducer. Transducer releases echo waves to generate pictures of the inner function and conditions of our heart.

Testing stress: After the above procedure, we will work out on a stationary bicycle or treadmill. The amount and consequence of the work out may change depending on our health circumstance. The exercise may continue for six to ten minutes or else till we are tired to lift our heart rate at the top level. If we realize that we have some complexities, particularly as an ache in chest, illness, tiredness, we must tell the doctor for discontinuing the test.

Stress echocardiography: The doctor executes another ultrasound just after we finish exercise from which the doctor takes more photos of our heart being under heavy pressure. After that, the doctor gives time for resting and suggests strolling for returning our heart to usual condition, and he simultaneously observes our ECG, heartbeat plus blood pressure till the heart condition reaches to the general level.

The result of Stress Echocardiography and interpretation of the result


The Stress Echocardiography test is quite dependable and consistent. After executing the entire test and procedures, the doctor will discuss the results and its consequences with us. The result can interpret in two ways. When the result is standard, it means our heart function is useful and working correctly.

It also concludes that we are not suffering from any heart diseases, and our arteries did not block because of Coronary Artery Syndrome.

On the other hand, if the test result is abnormal, it refers that our heart is unable to drain blood efficiently as there are blocks in our arteries. Cardiac arrest can be the other reason for this kind of damage to the centre.

Early Identification and examination of cardiac artery syndromes and the perils of cardiac arrest aid to avoid further complexities. From this test, we can also decide whether our current heart medication diagram is doing well for us or not.

Last Updated on January 2, 2024