An echocardiogram (echo) is a special ultrasound test that uses sound waves to take pictures of your heart. The goal of this test is to examine how your heart functions when you are at rest, under stress or during exercise. High frequency sound waves, which cannot be heard by humans, are directed toward the heart and bounce back as echoes. A computer translates these echoes into a picture of the heart.

What does it tell the doctor?
A doctor uses this test to determine how well your heart pumps when you exercise. If parts of your heart muscles do not pump well when you exercise, you could have a blockage in your heart arteries.

What happens before the test?

• Get a good night's rest.
• Take medicines as instructed by your doctor with small sips of water.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.
• Do not eat or drink eight hours before the test.
• Do not wear pantyhose or overalls.
• Do not exercise before the test.
• Do not have caffeine 24 hours before your test, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks and Excedrin.
• Do not smoke for at least three hours before the test.
• Do not exercise before the test.
• Do not take a beta-blocker for 24 hours before the test unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.
• If you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

What will I experience?
You receive medication intravenously through a small tube in your arm (IV). This will make the echo pictures clearer and easier to read. A medical professional places a cool gel on your chest. Then a transducer, which is a microphone-like instrument that produces sound waves and detects echoes, will be moved over your heart area. There should be no discomfort involved. You will be asked to walk on a treadmill. Walking on the treadmill will be easy at first, but your speed and the incline will increase every few minutes.

During the test, you will be connected to a heart monitor by electrodes and wires. This allows a medical professional to frequently check your blood pressure and heartbeat. As soon as you reach your goal heart rate, you will quickly lay down. A staff member will take echo pictures within the first two minutes after exercising, while your heart is still beating heavily. If at any time during the test you experience pain or tightness in your chest, dizziness or difficulty breathing, tell a staff member immediately.

If you are unable to walk on a treadmill, Dobutamine will be given through your IV. Dobutamine is a safe drug that increases your heart rate slowly as if you were actually exercising. During this time, several repeat echos will be taken. During the test, you will be connected to a heart monitor by electrodes and wires. Your blood pressure and heart beat will be checked frequently. If at any time during the testing you develop pain or tightness in your chest, dizziness or difficulty breathing, immediately tell the person who is testing you.

Both stress echo and Dobutamine echo tests take one to two hours to complete.