Stress Echo is a medical test performed by an advanced diagnostic and cardiac imaging facility, Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy, which is a NABL & NABH-accredited diagnostic centre. Stress Echocardiography is a type of cardiac exam that involves obtaining images of the heart before and after cardiac stress using ultrasound to measure how the heart functions, how the walls move, and whether there has been a reduction in blood supply to the heart muscle.

About Stress Echo

The exam measures the differences in echocardiographic pictures taken of the heart during rest with those taken during stress. If activity is not appropriate, then cardiac stress may be imposed on the heart by activity (usually on a treadmill) or by medicine. This technique will depend on the patient's health and the physician's recommendation. Stress Echo may be ordered Stress Echo may be recommended to investigate suspected cardiac chest pain or unexplained breathlessness when clinically indicated. The results are used along with the symptoms, cardiac history, and other tests.

What is Stress Echo?

Stress Echocardiography involves performing the echocardiogram in conjunction with a controlled stress load. Using ultrasound waves, the doctor can obtain a moving image of the heart, which will help him assess the chambers, the movement of the walls, heart pumping function, and the valves. These photographs are captured at rest and under stress or immediately after the stress during testing. As the walls of the heart start changing, it may be a symptom indicating that blood flow is inadequate if the requirement for blood flow is higher. Also, a history of the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms (if applicable), and an electrocardiogram, as applicable, would be used to assess the patient as well.

Common Reasons for Stress Echo

• Suspected CAD: Evaluation of the heart muscle's blood supply.
• Cardiac Disease and Unexplained Breathlessness: Investigation of breathlessness, which may be due to cardiac disease.
• Overload & Exercise Related Symptoms: Attempt at assessment of the signs and symptoms that may occur during exercise.
• Heart Wall Motion Assessment: Recording the changes in movement of the heart muscle under stress.
• Evaluations Before Selected Procedures: Cardiac evaluation prior to some procedures or treatments when deemed necessary by the physician/health care provider.
• Assessment: When other tests are inconclusive: Further assessment when symptoms and previous cardiac investigation need further detail.

Conditions Evaluated

Coronary Artery Disease

Stress Echo is useful in detecting changes in the motion of the walls of the heart that can happen when it doesn't get enough blood during peak activity. These discoveries might form the basis for checking the diagnosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Myocardial Ischemia

Myocardial ischemia is caused by diminished supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. In times of stress, Stress Echocardiography can help detect a decrease in wall motion, which can help elucidate areas that have the potential to have inducible ischemia.

Heart Pumping Function

The examination compares heart function at rest with heart function during or immediately after stress. It can provide information about overall cardiac pumping function and cardiac function changes at higher workloads.

Selected Heart Valve Conditions

In certain patients, it may be helpful to observe the influence of the heart on specific/selected valve abnormalities during stress (stress echocardiography). Indications and examination protocols determine the measurements done.

Exercise-Related Cardiac Symptoms

The test could be helpful in the diagnosis of chest pain, shortness of breath, or failure to keep up with the intensity of exercise during a brisk walk. Evaluation is done based on the symptoms provoked during the examination.

Assessment of Known Cardiac Disease

Stress Echo can be used in certain cardiac patients to help measure how the heart functions when it is stressed, and can provide information to help determine if patients require additional tests or treatment.

Why Choose Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy?

Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy is an NABL & NABH Accredited Diagnostic Centre, equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and having a special emphasis on appropriate diagnostic protocol, patient caregiving, and accurate reporting. We want our staff to help you through the examination process and make sure that our cardiac investigational procedures are performed as the referring physician wants them and with consideration of relevant safety considerations.

Book Your Stress Echo

Severe or persistent chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw, requires urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for an appointment. Call Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy to arrange an appointment and get instructions for preparing for the Stress Echo. Bring all medications, any old ECGs, echocardiograms, and/or any reports resulting from cardiac investigations (if available). Give the medical staff a background of any previous heart condition or symptoms prior to the exam.