Exercise stress echo ol

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Cardiac Center

MRK-D-36-2012

Exercise Stress Echo

Definition Is a graphic outline of the heart’s movement, valves, and chambers that helps your doctor see images of your heart before and after exercising. Sound waves are sent from a device placed on the chest to create images that show the heart in motion. Alot can be learned about the health of your heart and how well your heart can deal with increased activities, some heart abnormalities do not show until the heart is forced to beat faster or harder. What is this test used for? •• Determine how well your heart tolerates activity. •• Evaluate the function of your heart and valves. •• Determine your likelihood of having Coronary Artery Disease (blocked arteries). •• Evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan. How to prepare for this test? •• DO NOT eat or drink anything except water for four hours before the test. DO NOT drink or eat caffeine products for 24 hours before the test. •• Ask your doctor what medications should be taken on the day of your

test. DO NOT take the following heart medications on the day of the test unless your physician tells you otherwise or if the medication is needed to treat chest discomfort:

* Beta blockers (Atenolol, Metroprolol, Propranolol). * Calcium channel blockers (Diltiazem, Verapamil).

•• Bring your medications with you on the day of the test. Your physician

may also ask you to stop taking other heart medications on the day of the test. •• If you have questions about your medications — ask your physician. •• DO NOT stop any medication without first talking with your doctor. •• If you have diabetes and take medications to manage your blood sugar, ask your physician how to adjust your medications the day of your test. •• DO NOT take your diabetes medications and skip a meal before the test. If you own a glucose monitor, bring it with you to check your blood sugar levels before and after your test. If you think your blood sugar is low, tell the lab personnel immediately. Plan to eat and take your blood sugar medication after your test. •• If you use an inhaler for breathing, bring it to the test. •• Wear comfortable clothes. Bring shoes suitable for running on the treadmill. You will need to change into a hospital gown to wear during the procedure. You will be given a locker to store your belongings during the test. Do not bring valuables.

What to expect? Before the test, a cardiac sonographer, nurse or physician will explain the procedure in detail, including possible complications and side effects. •• First, the sonographer will gently rub ten small areas of your chest, and place small sticky electrode patches to these areas. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph (ECG) monitor, which charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test. •• Before you begin to exercise, the sonographer will perform a resting ECG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure. •• The sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table so he / she can perform a resting echo. The sonographer will place a wand (sound-wave transducer) on several areas of your chest. The wand will have a small amount of cool gel on the end, which will not harm your skin. This gel helps get clearer pictures of the heart’s movement. •• Then, you will exercise either on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and gradually increase your rate of exercise. You will be asked to exercise very hard until you are exhausted. It is normal for your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and perspiration to

increase. This information will allow your physician to assess your heart’s ability to function. •• At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. If you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort, short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded, irregular heartbeats or if you have any other unusual symptoms, tell the stress lab personnel immediately. •• The lab personnel will watch for changes on the ECG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped. •• When you cannot exercise any longer, you will get off the treadmill, quickly return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram. It is normal to feel a little unsteady when getting off the treadmill and onto the exam table for the echo, as you stop exercising suddenly. •• Your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will continue to be monitored after exercising until the levels are returning to normal. •• The appointment takes about 60 minutes. The actual exercise time is usually between 7 and 12 minutes. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about the test Cardiac Center 02-650-9000 Ext: 6174-1886



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