Our office does echocardiography and stress testing with and without the benefit of the ultrasound. These studies are designed to look at the movement of the valves and the walls of the heart under stress and while resting.
A routine stress test is the recording of the heart’s activity while you exercise. Your heart is monitored by using electrodes to record the electrical activity it makes. Your heart’s activity will also be monitored by seeing how your blood pressure and pulse change over the course of the test.
You should not have any caffeine or food for two hours prior to the test, including decaf, chocolate or soda. You should not smoke for two hours prior to the test. You should wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes for the treadmill. You will be here approximately 45 minutes.
If you have diabetes and take insulin, please take 1/2 of your usual dose the morning of the test. Take your regular BLOOD PRESSURE medication the morning of your stress test.
A Stress Echo determines whether your heart is getting enough blood flow. To perform the test, we will take some ultrasound pictures of your heart before and after exercise.
A cardiologist will read the ultrasound pictures on the day of your test. If the results are abnormal, your physician will be notified within 24 hours and a nurse will notify you. If the results are normal, you will receive a letter within 5-7 days.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It will look at the movement of the valves and the walls of your heart.
No special preparation is required for this test. It takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
After the test, a Cardiologist will read the ultrasound pictures on the day of your test. If the results are abnormal, your physician will be notified within 24 hours and a nurse will notify you. If the results are normal, you will receive a letter within 5-7 days.
