A stress echocardiography, also called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working. During a stress echocardiography, patient will exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm. When your heart rate reaches peak levels, Cardiologist will take ultrasound images of your heart to determine whether your heart muscles are getting enough blood and oxygen while you exercise.
Your Cardiologist 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 Cardiologist how well treatments such as bypass grafting, angioplasty, and anti-anginal or antiarrhythmic medications are working.