Stress echocardiogram test

Need to know

• What happens during a stress echocardiogram?  icon plus

  There are two types of stress echocardiogram: exercise and dobutamine. Both involve placing electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart under conditions of rest and stress.

  • Exercise stress echocardiogram. We'll ask you to lie down so we can take ultrasound images of your heart with a transducer as you rest. We'll then ask you to run or walk on a treadmill to take images of your heart under stress. 
  • Dobutamine stress echocardiogram. We'll ask you to lie down as small sticky sensors (electrodes) are attached to your chest. These allow your operator to monitor your heart rhythm and take ultrasound images of your heart. Your consultant will then inject your arm with dobutamine to increase your heart rate, and a contrast dye to better visualise your heart chambers.

  Both tests take 30 to 60 minutes.

• How to prepare for your test  icon plus

  For both tests, you may be asked to stop taking any medications that slow your heart rate (such as a beta blocker) up to 48 hours before your appointment.

  • Exercise stress echocardiogram. You should bring clothing you feel comfortable exercising in. We'll provide you with a gown, as you'll be asked to remove clothes from the waist up.
  • Dobutamine stress echocardiogram. A dobutamine stress echocardiogram doesn't require any special preparation beforehand. It's usually recommended for those unable to exercise due to injury or other reasons.

• After the stress test  icon plus

  Both stress echocardiograms take 30 to 60 minutes. You'll be able to go home straight after. Your GP or cardiologist will most likely ask you to return at a later date to discuss your test results. If they suspect you may have a particular heart condition, they may recommend particular treatments or further tests.