Why do I need a stress test?
This test helps your physician determine how your heart functions when it is made to work harder by walking on the treadmill. An echocardiogram, the ultrasound study of the heart, evaluates the heart’s size, how strongly it pumps, and how well the valves are working. This is done prior to exercise, at peak heart rate after walking on the treadmill, and after your heart rate has slowed back down.
The stress echo test is useful to determine:
- If there is a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart at rest as well as with exercise
- If there is reduced movement of the heart muscle
- Overall level of cardiovascular conditioning
- How quickly the heart recovers after exercise
- How hard the heart can work before symptoms develop
- Estimate the risk of surgery that can cause cardiac complications