Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Location: Suite 016
Director: Kurt Meehan, R.T.
Appointments: 216-382-2853
General Description
What to Expect
How to Prepare
About the Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Registration Form
Notice of Privacy Practices and Patient Rights
General Description
The Echo Stress Test uses ultrasound (sound waves) to evaluate the function of the heart when the heart is working its hardest. An Echo Stress Test is performed to evaluate chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations, or to evaluate the heart after angioplasty, heart attack or open heart surgery.
What to Expect
Electrodes will be placed on your chest and an ultrasound scan of your heart will be performed. Then, with the electrodes still in place, you will walk on a treadmill. The treadmill will begin slowly and will increase in speed and grade every three (3) minutes. You will walk on the treadmill until you are tired. Your heart rhythm and blood pressure will be monitored continuously. When you finish exercising, a second scan of your heart will be performed. The entire procedure will take about one (1) hour. Your doctor will receive a written report approximately 48 hours after the test.
- No smoking, alcoholic beverages or caffeine after 6 p.m. the night before the test. Many soft drinks, cocoa and chocolate beverages and foods, as well as cold remedies, diuretics, and pain relievers contain caffeine, so please be sure to read all labels.
- Eat low-fat meals the day of the test. For example:
Breakfast: Fruit, fruit juice, cereal with milk or any bread product with a little margarine or butter and jam, jelly or honey.
Lunch: Fruit, fruit salad, tuna, chicken or turkey sandwich, lettuce, tomato, celery (any salad ingredients), beverage without caffeine. Do not eat anything heavy or greasy for either meal. - Wear comfortable clothes such as pants, shorts, jeans, warm-up pants, loose-fitting T-shirt or blouse and good walking or tennis shoes.
- Continue to take any medications you normally would, unless your physician has instructed you otherwise.
- Please bring a current list of medications that you are taking.
- Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment and bring the requisition provided by your physician.