Services
Stress Echocardiography (Treadmill )
What is a stress echocardiogram?
The stress echocardiogram measures the function of the heart muscle contractility at rest and immediately after exercise. There are three parts in a stress echocardiography: a resting heart ultrasound scan, a stress electrocardiogram and a repeat heart ultrasound scan at peak exercise. It is done to help diagnose blocked arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) and also provide specific information about valvular disease and pressure in the heart and lungs.
What you will need to be scheduled for a stress echocardiography:
A referral letter from your GP
Medicare Card (bulk billing elgibility is subject to test indication, please click here for details)
Preparation before the test
Please wear comfortable and loose clothing, sports shoes, or flat-soled walking shoes. (Sandals, slippers, socks and barefoot are NOT suitable for this test.) If you do not have appropriate footwear your appointment will be rescheduled.
If you have any concerns regarding walking on a treadmill, please raise this with our staff prior to your appointment, as this test might not be suitable for you.
Allow approximately 30-40 minutes for this test. Avoid eating or drinking heavily for 2 hours prior to this test to prevent discomfort when exercising.
You will need to cease beta blocker medication (e.g. metoprolol, atenolol, sotalol), selected calcium channel blockers (e.g. diltiazem, verapamil) and digoxin 48 hours prior to exercise test, unless otherwise directed by the referring doctor – usually the cardiologist. Please see below for a list of medications to cease.
Beta-Blockers
| Drug Name | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Atenolol | Anselol, Noten, Tenolten, Tenormin, Tensig |
| Bisoprolol | Beprol, Bicard, Bicor, Biso, Bispro |
| Carvedilol | Dicarz, Dilasig, Dilatrend, Vedilol, Volirop |
| Labetalol | Presolol, Trandate |
| Metoprolol | Betaloc, Lopresor, Metatar, Metrol, Metrol-XL, Minax. Mistrom, Toprol |
| Nebivolol | Nebilet |
| Oxprenolol | Corbeton |
| Pindolol | Barbloc, Visken |
| Propranolol | Deralin, Inderal |
| Sotalol | Cardol, Solavert, Sotacor |
Calcium Channel Blockers
| Drug Name | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Diltiazem | Cardizem, Coras, Diltahexal, Dilzem, Vasocardol |
| Verapamil | Anpec, Cordilox, Isoptin, Tarka, Veracaps |
Other
| Drug Name | Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Digoxin | Digibind, DigiFab, Lanoxin, Lanoxin-PG, Sigmaxin, Sigmaxin-PG |
| Ivabradine | Coralan |
How is the test done?
You will be exercising for a short period on a treadmill while your heart rhythm and blood pressure are being monitored. The treadmill will be starting slowly but gradually increasing the speed and inclination. Ultrasound images of the heart will be taken before and immediately after exercise.
In most cases, you will need to walk for a few minutes up to 15 minutes, depending on your level of fitness and your age. The cardiologist will stop the treadmill:
When your heart is beating at the target rate
When you are too tired to continue
If you are having symptoms such as chest pains
Significant changes in your ECG or blood pressure
What are the risks?
The risks are very low. Health care professionals will monitor you during the entire procedure.
Rare complications include:
Abnormal heart rhythm
Fainting (syncope)
Heart attack
