What you need to know about:

Stress Echocardiogram

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Recovery Period:

No downtime

Permanence:

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Time it takes:

1-2 hours

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Overview of

Stress Echocardiogram

in Thailand

A stress echocardiogram is a type of heart examination used by doctors to help diagnose coronary heart disease. Patients are tested while exercising (usually on a treadmill) in order to assess the performance of the heart muscle under stress, and to see whether the heart is receiving sufficient oxygen from the blood vessels. Patients are also monitored for other abnormal symptoms that may arise during exercise, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and changes in heart rhythm. The use of an echocardiogram will help to discern whether or not the heart muscle is pumping sufficient blood to the rest of the body – and also allows doctors to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm and performance of the heart valves, and measure the capacity of the heart chambers. In turn, this allows the doctors to see whether the patient is suffering from coronary heart disease. By using an echocardiogram, doctors can increase the accuracy and precision of their diagnosis, allowing for a more accurate reading than if the patient was observed while walking on a normal treadmill.

Goals of

Stress Echocardiogram

During a stress echocardiography, When your heart rate reaches peak levels during the exercise, your doctor will take ultrasound images of your heart to determine whether your heart muscles are getting enough blood and oxygen while you exercise.

Price of

Stress Echocardiogram

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Pros and cons of

Stress Echocardiogram

Pros

-Provides functional information about coronary arteries -A stress echocardiogram can identify the site of narrowed blood vessels, and the extent of reduced blood flow to the heart.

Cons

-Results depend on good visibility

-There is a small possibility of the patient experiencing chest pain, irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes, or a heart attack during the test. The doctor will of course take necessary precautions to avoid this.

How It Works:

Stress Echocardiogram

A nurse will attach a set of electrodes to the patient's chest in order to monitor the heart muscle and observe the examinee's blood pressure and heart rhythm. The patient will lie flat on a bed to allow the nurse to conduct a heart recording and collect images of the heart using the echocardiogram before the examination. The patient will then come down from the bed and begin on the treadmill with a slow walk. The nurse will alter the speed and incline of the treadmill every 3 minutes, to simulate the patient walking up a steep hill. When the patient's heart rate reaches its peak and they are unable to continue, the nurse will stop the treadmill. The patient must then lie back down on the bed immediately, on their left-hand side, so that the nurse can conduct a heart recording and take an echocardiogram after exercise. When the examination is complete, the doctor will then read and explain the results to the patient, comparing the echocardiogram results from before and after exercise. The procedure lasts approximately 60 minutes. Please inform the doctor if you experiene one or more of the following symptoms: -Patients must inform the medical personnel immediately if they require the treadmill to be slowed or stopped, or experience the following: -Chest pain, burning sensation or tightness in the chest -Nausea or dizziness -Exhaustion

Preparation before

Stress Echocardiogram

Pre - treatment

Do not consume food or drinks 4 hours prior to the examination. Do not take any medications on the morning of the examination, unless advised to do so by the doctor. Provide documents showing all of the medication recently used for the doctor to review, as well as the doses prescribed. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for exercise. If suffering from diabetes and using insulin, use only half of the regular insulin dose, and do not eat breakfast unless advised to do so by the doctor. If using any other medications for diabetes, do not take any medication on the morning of the examination.

Recovery after

Stress Echocardiogram

Post - treatment

After the examination, the patient may eat, take their medication, and go about their activities as usual – unless instructed not to do so by a doctor.

Risks & side effects

Risks during the examination may include:

Irregular heartbeat

Syncope (fainting) – which can cause injury if the patient collapses

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)

FAQs:

Stress Echocardiogram

What do the test results mean?

The echocardiography stress test is very reliable. Your doctor will explain your test results to you. If the results are normal, your heart is working properly and your blood vessels are probably not blocked due to coronary artery disease. Abnormal test results may mean that your heart isn’t pumping blood effectively because there’s a blockage in your blood vessels. Another reason could be that a heart attack damaged your heart. Diagnosing coronary artery disease and assessing your risk for heart attacks early on can help prevent future complications. This test can also help determine if your current cardiac rehabilitation plan is working for you.

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In what situation would I need a stress echocardiogram?

Your doctor may order a stress echocardiography test if you have chest pain that they think is due to coronary artery disease or a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. This test also determines how much exercise you can safely tolerate if you’re in cardiac rehabilitation. The test can also tell your doctor how well treatments such as bypass grafting, angioplasty, and anti-anginal or antiarrhythmic medications are working.

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