Stress Echocardiography

Stress echocardiography is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the health of the heart and blood vessels by combining ultrasound imaging with a stress test, such as exercise or medication. This test measures how the heart responds to physical exertion and helps identify potential issues like blocked arteries, heart muscle weakness, or abnormal blood flow. During the test, your heartbeat and blood pressure are monitored to assess how well your heart is functioning under stress. At Revere Health, our stress echocardiography services provide a comprehensive evaluation of heart health, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various cardiovascular conditions.

How Stress Echocardiography Works
The procedure begins with a standard echocardiogram to capture baseline images of the heart at rest. After this, you will either walk on a treadmill or receive medication that increases your heart rate to simulate exercise. Once your heart is working harder, another echocardiogram is performed to capture images of how the heart functions under stress. These images help identify areas of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood or oxygen during activity.

When Is Stress Echocardiography Recommended?
Stress echocardiography is often recommended for patients with symptoms of heart disease, including:

Chest Pain or Discomfort: To determine if the pain is related to coronary artery disease.
Shortness of Breath: To assess heart function and rule out heart failure.
Unexplained Fatigue: To evaluate heart performance during physical activity.
Abnormal EKG Results: To further investigate irregularities seen in other heart tests.
Assessing Heart Health After a Heart Attack: To evaluate the extent of damage and plan treatment.

What to Expect During the Test
Resting Echocardiogram: Baseline images of your heart will be taken using ultrasound while you are at rest.
Exercise or Medication: You will either walk on a treadmill or receive a medication to raise your heart rate. Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored throughout the test.
Post-Stress Echocardiogram: Once your heart rate reaches its target level, additional images will be taken to evaluate how well the heart pumps under stress.
Results and Follow-Up: Your doctor will review the results and discuss any necessary treatments or further testing based on the findings.

Benefits of Stress Echocardiography
Noninvasive and Safe: A low-risk test that provides valuable information about heart function.
Accurate Diagnosis: Helps detect coronary artery disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular issues.
Real-Time Results: Provides immediate feedback on heart performance during stress.

Why Choose Revere Health?
Our cardiology team uses advanced stress echocardiography techniques to provide thorough evaluations of heart function, helping patients receive the best possible care for their cardiovascular health.

For more information or to schedule a stress echocardiogram, contact Revere Health today.