828 Utica Ave, Brooklyn,
NY 11203
Stress echocardiography is a procedure whereby an echocardiogram is performed before and after the heart is stressed either physically or medically. Ultrasound waves are used to produce images of the heart at rest and at the peak of exercise. Vascular doctors in Brooklyn perform a stress echocardiogram to find out whether you have sufficient blood flow to the heart or if it is decreased, as would be in the case of coronary artery disease. The test highlights any areas that that are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood as well and identify any causes of dizziness, breathlessness and spells of blackouts that you may be experiencing. A stress echocardiography is important because some patients with a blockage in the arteries may only experience symptoms when they are exercising.
An echocardiography and EKG are performed at resting alongside your blood pressure. You will then be asked to run on a treadmill that slowly increases in speed and incline. Patients that have difficulty walking on the treadmill can undergo this test with chemical stressing. An intravenous drip is used to administer a medication called dobutamine that makes the heart beat faster.
The EKG and blood pressure measurements are taken during the exercise period at regular intervals. An echocardiography is performed immediately at the end of the stress period.
In order to prepare for the test, your Brooklyn cardiologist will advise you:
The test will take approximately one hour to complete. It is a fairly safe procedure although some complications such as a rapid drop in blood pressure may occur in rare cases. However, medical personnel trained to deal with such emergencies are available should any complications arise.
A stress echocardiogram is useful because the readings before and after the stress to the heart allow our cardiologists to find out whether or not the blood flow is sufficient. The test is a great tool for identifying if there are any areas that are not getting oxygen rich blood. Patients with artery blockages sometimes only experience issues while they are exercising; this is what makes this particular test so useful.
There are several types of heart health issues that can be detected by this type of echocardiogram. Some of the major ailments that we use this test for are blocked arteries, heart enlargement, birth defects, and heart attack damage. We perform stress echocardiograms on patients as part of a comprehensive approach to an individual’s preventative cardiology routine.
Yes, getting a stress echocardiogram is safe, as we would only perform the test on patients who are able to undergo this type of test, and only under the watchful eye of our trained cardiologists. All tests that we perform at our facility are safe; we take into consideration all relevant medical history when we decide which tests to perform on each individual. We are leading experts in cardiac disease testing.
There are many other diagnostic tests that are useful for a wide array of reasons, but might not be as useful for detecting issues with the heart that are only apparent during exercise. Performing an echocardiogram after stressing the heart physically or medically can help us to get a better idea of how the heart is functioning while it is being used.
We are a leading provider of Stress Echocardiograms and all other cardiology tests in Brooklyn, NY. We perform stress echocardiograms as well as other cardiac tests like Holter Monitor Tests, Nuclear Stress Tests, Vascular Tests and more. Contact us to make an appointment with our highly experienced cardiology experts at our office conveniently located in Brooklyn, NY.
