ECHO Stress Test
Patients with coronary artery blockages may have minimal or no symptoms during rest. However, symptoms and signs of heart disease may be unmasked by exposing the heart to the stress of exercise by either walking on a treadmill or by medications given to simulate exercise. That’s because, during exercise, healthy coronary arteries dilate more than an artery with a blockage. This unequal dilation causes more blood to be delivered to the heart muscle supplied by the normal artery. In contrast, narrowed arteries end up supplying reduced flow to its area of distribution. This decreased flow causes that particular muscle to "starve" during exercise. The "starvation" may produce symptoms, such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath. In addition, EKG changes may occur as well as reduced movement of the heart muscle.
An Echo stress test (also known as Echocardiography or ultrasound) can identify reduced movement of the heart muscle by examining the movement of the walls of the left ventricle, which is the major pumping chamber of the heart. This helps determine how well the heart is receiving blood. It is non-invasive, using no dyes or contrasts, has no side effects, and has little to no risk to the patient. The 45 minute study is performed as an outpatient/inpatient procedure at Samaritan Hospital. It may show damage to the heart muscle, giving physicians a limited view of the heart’s condition before ordering a catheterization.
