Stress echocardiography is a test that allows us to see how your heart muscle contracts both during rest and during exercise. The strength with which the heart muscle contractd depends in part on the amount of oxygen carried to the heart by the blood. If a coronary artery supplying the heart with oxygenated blood is narrowed or blocked, the portion of the heart muscle served by that artery will not squeeze normally. If the artery is partially blocked, the heart muscle may squeeze normally when you are resting, but not when you are exercising. If the artery becomes totally blocked, some heart muscle may die. If there is a significant problem with blood supply to the heart, localized differences in the strength of heart muscle contraction show clearly.

Resting echocardiographic images will be taken prior to exercise. You will then be prepared as you would be for an exercise treadmill test. You will walk on the treadmill following the exercise treadmill protocol as described above. At peak exercise you will immediately lay down on the table and have the exercise echocardiographic images taken.

After your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline, you will be allowed to leave. A report will be called to your referring physician immediately, if available, and a hard copy of the report will follow.

This test takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.