Preparing for the test 

 

• DO NOT eat, drink, or smoke for at least three hours before the test.

• DO take your usual medications with a sip of water unless instructed otherwise br your provider. Diabetics who use insulin or glucose lowering agents may need to adjust their dosage. Please check with your provider if you are not sure.

• DO wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

 

Stress echo details

 

• Plan on the test taking 1 hour to complete.

• You will be asked to disrobe from the waist up, if you are female you will be given a gown to wear.

• 10 EKG electrodes will be placed on your chest wall. For men, limited shaving of the chest may be necessary to assure good contact between your skin and the electrodes.

• Blood pressures and EKGs will be taken before, during, and after the stress test.

• Your treadmill exercise will follow a standard protocol, every 3 minutes the speed and elevation of the treadmill will increase. Your pace will start at a slow walk and end with a brisk walk or slow jog depending on

 

• Ultrasound images will be captured prior to and immediately after the exercise portion of your test. Images

 

 

 

• In order to capture good qualty ultrasound images the sonographer may ask you to inhale or exhale and hold your breath, this will clear your lungs from the imaging area.  

• Average exercise time on the treadmill is 6 - 12 minutes.

• The test will end if any of the following are met:

  • If you are unable to keep pace with the treadmill.

  • If you experience dizziness or lightheadness.

  • Abnormal EKG changes or blood pressure readings.

  • Maximum target heartrate is achieved.