Stress Echo is an imaging test that combines ultrasound with exercise (or drug challenge) to assess the function of the heart while it is under stress. It is recommended for people:
- with chest pain or unstable angina.
- with a history of cardiovascular disease who want to assess the severity of their condition.
- with a positive stress test result (but uncertain or unclear).
- Evaluation before cardiac surgery
- Monitoring treatment after angioplasty or valvuloplasty.
Stress Echo is a quick and radiation-free test that can be repeated without significant risks, making it ideal for monitoring patients with cardiac problems. The method provides an immediate assessment of cardiac function under load and the heart’s ability to pump blood during exercise, which helps to more accurately diagnose cardiac problems.
The study is mainly used to detect coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis or stenosis of the coronary arteries), as well as other cardiac diseases such as:
Disorders in the function of heart valves, signs of heart failure or cardiomyopathy, assessment of cardiac anatomy and cardiac function, in order to identify areas with reduced blood pumping capacity. Finally, to make a prognostic assessment of cardiac risks, while helping to make decisions regarding treatment, such as the need for medication, invasive procedures (e.g., angioplasty), or surgical interventions (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting).
How is the test performed?
The test involves monitoring the heart with ultrasound during physical exercise or during the application of a drug (which causes cardiac strain). The procedure includes the following steps:
- The patient undergoes an initial ultrasound (at rest) to assess the basic cardiac parameters of the heart (such as ventricular function, valve function, and cardiovascular anatomy).
- Next comes physical exercise: It is usually done on a treadmill or bicycle, with the aim of causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Exercise continues until the patient reaches a safe level of fatigue or symptoms occur that require cessation.
- In cases where the patient cannot perform physical exercise (due to limitations or other parameters), drugs (such as dobutamine or adenosine) are used to cause an increase in heart rate and cardiac load.
- After exercise, a second ultrasound is performed to record changes in cardiac function during exercise and to determine if there is ischemia (reduced blood flow to the cardiomyocyte tissue) or other abnormalities in heart function.
