Treadmill Stress Echocardiography (Echo) Instructions

Appointment date and time______________________________________________

Stress echocardiography, or stress echo, is a test that records images of your heart before and after exercise. By comparing the images, your doctor can tell whether your heart is getting enough blood to meet its increased demand for oxygen.

Images of your heart are recorded on videotape for your doctor to see later.

Location:

Una Vie Cardiology Testing Center, 2451 Intelliplex Drive, Shelbyville, IN. Hightway 9 turn onto Intelliplex Drive (across the highway from Ashford Place Health Campus). Follow Intelliplex Drive to the last building on the left, the Intelliplex Medical Arts Building. Enter the building through the revolving glass door. Testing is done on the 1st floor, Suite 120.

For questions regarding the test, or to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call the UnaVie Cardiology Center: 317-421-1900.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your test to check in.

Before Your Test

• Prepare a list of all over-the-counter or prescriptions, herbs, or supplements you are taking and bring this list to your appointment.

• You may take your morning medications, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

• Diabetic patients may eat breakfast and take insulin or diabetic medications as usual. All other patients may eat a light breakfast.

• Do not have any caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test. This includes coffee, tea, chocolates, soft drinks, energy drinks, or medications containing caffeine, etc.

• No smoking after midnight the morning of the test. 

• Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. Tennis shoes are preferred.

• Wear a comfortable two piece outfit.. You may be asked to remove clothing or jewelry from the waist up. Women will be given a short hospital gown to wear.

During Your Test

Small pads (electrodes) are placed on your chest to monitor your heartbeat. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm. Your heart beat, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the test.

•  The first portion of the test is a resting echocardiogram. A transducer coated with cool gel is moved firmly over your chest. This device creates sound waves that make images of your heart. At times you may be asked to inhale or exhale and hold your breath for a few seconds. Air in your lungs can affect the images.

• The transducer may also be used to do a Doppler study. This test measures the direction and speed of blood flowing through the heart. During the test, you may hear a whoosing sound. This is the sound of blood flowing through the heart.

• An IV may be started in your arm for a contrast agent or if a specific type of study image is needed or ordered.

• Next, you will be shown how to use a treadmill. A technician will be standing beside the treadmill at all times.

• You will then be asked to walk on the treadmill for several minutes. Expect the exercise to be easy at first and gradually get harder.

• Exercise as long as you can or until you are asked to stop.

• Finally, a technician will ask you to lie back down and the technician will take images of your heart as it continues to respond to the exercise

• You will be monitored for a few minutes after exercise (recovery phase) as your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.

After the Test

• You can resume your normal activity as directed by the doctor.

• Be sure to keep your follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss test results.