Exercise Stress Echo

An exercise stress echo is needed to diagnose coronary artery disease which can cause chest pain or breathlessness during exercise. It is used to evaluate how your heart functions based on ultrasound images taken prior and post exercise on a treadmill. Your ECG and blood pressure is also monitored during the test.

For the echocardiogram component, this is very safe. No X-rays are used, and the echo is similar to an ultrasound performed during pregnancy.

For the exercise component, you may encounter some side effects such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Minor chest discomfort

• Dizziness

• Palpitations; and

• Muscle fatigue.

If these symptoms are a concern, the test will be stopped.

Serious complications such as heart attack, and life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances are rare (less than 1%). Death as a result of the test is extremely rare.

You will be monitored closely by the medical team during your test. You may need to wait for some time after the test before driving if you feel unwell or require monitoring.

Electrode dots are placed on your skin. Chest hair may need to be shaved off a small area. You will be asked to lie down on the examination bench. The hand-held transducer will be applied to the chest wall with ultrasound gel. The images of your heart will be displayed on the monitor, and the sound of the blood flow may be heard.

You will then need to walk on the treadmill to increase the stress on your heart. The treadmill will increase in speed and slope every few minutes, to achieve your maximal workload.

At that point, the treadmill will be stopped, and it is important to lie back down on the examination bench as quickly as possible. This is to visualise the heart under maximal workload. Any abnormalities of the blood pressure, ECG tracings and echo images will be recorded. You should also report any symptoms you experience to the supervising staff. You may ask to stop the test at any time.

The Exercise Stress Echo is approximately 45-60 minutes in duration. You will be required to wear clothing and footwear suitable for exercise.

The procedure will require you to remove the clothing from your upper body. A gown will be provided for you to change into.

Do not drink beverages containing caffeine 3 hours before your test (including Tea/Coffee/Cola/Energy drinks).

You should avoid a heavy meal for at least 3 hours before your test.

Do not smoke 3 hours before the test.

If your medications include Beta Blockers and selected Calcium channel blockers, these are to be stopped 24 hours before your test unless otherwise advised by the doctor. Please discuss this with your Doctor, or call the Clinic if you are unsure. Please bring an up-to-date list of your medications to the appointment (or a bag with all your medications in it).

The results of the Stress Echo will be made available to your referring Medical Practitioner. Urgent results will be communicated directly by telephone.