Question about stress echo test

[briskate]

Hello,

I've already had an ecg and a standard echo. (I don't know I have anything wrong with my heart yet). These results were normal.

I'm now being sent for a stress echo and I'm just wondering if a stress echo can show abnormalities if an ecg and standard echo didn't?

Thank you for any help. Much appreciated ☺

[mandm65]

Hello briskate

I am not an expert in this area so refrain from answering your question but can share my experience.

I had ECG done at the surgery and it showed some abnormality, my GP never told me what it was but referred me to cardio. The ECG done at cardio did not show anything, in fact the stress test (treadmill) did not flag anything either.

I would not worry too much about it and let the expert do what they do best.

[Prada47 in reply to mandm65]

The terminology is misleading there are various tests with the word Stress in them.

Myocardial Profusion Scan involves Scans at Rest and with your Heart under Medication Stress.

MRI scan also with your Heart under Stress is cutting edge diagnosis again the Stress is Medication induced.

An exercise Test is when you are putting your Heart under a workload, on either a Treadmill or Bicycle this is when the workload is brought on by You, Your doing the work not Medication.

Personal Opinion I would rather the Medication route it's Easier -)

regards

Frank W

[stevejb1810]

A stress echo just means that you will be having an echocardiogram whilst you are either peddling a bike or walking/running on a treadmill. You will likely be wired to an ecg machine as well. It’s all painless and straight forward. What the cardiologist told me was that the stress echo can tell them something is wrong, but it cannot tell them exactly what is wrong. So this is another diagnostic tool which may lead to further test, but may not, depending on the outcome of the stress echo.

So, don’t get too stressed by this, it’s probably the easiest test you’ll have/do.

Steve

[Emily_BHF]

Hi Briskate,

A stress echo is able to show how the heart appears when you increase its workload. In fact, performing an echo during exercise helps doctors find the cause of symptoms you may experience during physical stress or exercise. This will provide additional information for your cardiologist so that they can make a better decision about whether you need any additional testing or whether additional results reveal the need for treatment (which may involve prescribing medications).

This test is very straight forward and involves you exercising while having the echo scan. If you are able, you’ll walk on a treadmill. It starts slowly, and becomes faster and steeper every few minutes until you reach a target heart rate. Your Healthcare professional will monitor your blood pressure, pulse, and other signs. If you have any symptoms or don’t feel well, tell the technician — the treadmill can be stopped at any time. Wait for it to stop before you step off it. If you can’t exercise, you’ll receive medication through an IV line to increase your heart rate. Additional information about this test can be found on our website. If you have any additional concerns, please discuss them with your Healthcare Professional.

Take care,

Emily

[briskate]

Just to say thank you everyone for your replies. Much appreciated.