KAWARTHA CARDIOLOGY CLINIC

 

 

EXERCISE STRESS-ECHO TESTING

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

§         EAT a light breakfast the morning of the test

§         NO smoking for 2 hours prior to the test

§         BRING a complete list of your medications with you on the day of the test

§         Some medications may interfere with this test – please ask your doctor if any of your usual medications need to be temporarily withheld prior to testing

§         PREGNANCY WARNING:      If you are nursing or think you may be pregnant, please let the staff know

 

Since you are scheduled for treadmill exercise, you will need to wear comfortable shoes and comfortable shorts or pants.

 

Medications

 

Since you will be undergoing exercise testing, you must withhold your Beta-Blocker (e.g.: Acebutalol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotalol) for 3 days prior to your test.  Cut down to 1 pill/day for 3 days, then ½ pill/day for 3 days and then 0 (zero) pills for 3 days.  You may restart this medication at full dose upon completion of the test.

 

PURPOSE

Stress-echo testing allows the motion of the walls of the heart to be observed under stress and gives an indication of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease.

 

PROCEDURE

In preparation for the test, you will have ECG leads placed on your chest.  You will first undergo cardiac echocardiography, or ultrasound.  You will then be instructed to walk on a treadmill that will increase in speed and elevation every 3 minutes.  The technologist will encourage you to go as long as you can.  When that time is reached, you will be asked to quickly leave the treadmill and climb onto the echo bed.  It is very important that there be only a short time between the end of exercise and the first echo picture.  The entire test will take approximately 30 minutes.  You will be free to leave following the test.

 

This test will be read by the supervising cardiologist and a report will be prepared within ten days.

 

SHOULD YOU NEED TO CANCEL

This is a valuable diagnostic tool, and we have a list of patients waiting to have this test. Therefore, if you are unable to keep your appointment, it is imperative that you call 705-740-6888 at least 24 hours in advance so that we can book someone else in your place.  Otherwise, you may be billed for the appointment time.