Echocardiography

Preparation may vary pending the type of echocardiogram you are receiving.

Standard Echocardiogram:

• You can eat, drink, and take your regular medications as usual on the day of your echocardiogram.

Stress Echocardiogram:

• Avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 4 hours before your test.

• Do not consume caffeinated beverages such as, but not limited to coffee and tea, chocolate, or caffeine-containing medications – for 24 hours prior to your test.

• Do not smoke on the day of the test.

• Consult with your healthcare provider prior to your stress echocardiogram about which medications may need to be on hold, as some can affect the accuracy of the test. For example, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers may make it harder for your heart rate to rise during exercise, which can impact the results. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions based on your health and current medications.

Your echocardiogram will be performed by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (DMS) with a specialization in cardiac sonography. These trained professionals capture and analyze detailed images of your heart and its chambers, which are then reviewed by the cardiologists to help diagnose and monitor heart conditions. Click here to learn more about DMSs!

Cardiovascular Technologists (CVTs) play a key role in performing stress echocardiogram exams. They are trained healthcare professionals who operate the specialized equipment and monitor your heart’s response during the test, ensuring accurate and safe imaging throughout the procedure.

A cardiologist will review all your imaging and send a detailed report to your referring healthcare provider. Cardiologists are specialized physicians who play a key role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They carefully review and interpret heart scans to understand how your heart is functioning and help guide your treatment plan.

A stress echocardiogram is a type of heart test that combines an ultrasound of the heart with a stress test to evaluate how well your heart muscle is working during physical activity.

What to expect:

This test is done in two stages. First, you will have an echocardiogram at rest. Then, you’ll walk on a treadmill to raise your heart rate. After your heart rate increases, another echocardiogram is done to compare how your heart functions before and after stress. Appointment length is approximately 60 minutes.

Preparation:

• Wear or bring comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for walking.

• Avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 4 hours before your test.

• Do not consume caffeine – including coffee, tea, chocolate, or caffeine-containing medications – for 24 hours prior.

• Do not smoke on the day of the test.

• Consult with your physician prior to your stress echocardiogram about which medications may need to be on hold, as some can affect the accuracy of the test. For example, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers may make it harder for your heart rate to rise during exercise, which can impact the results. Your doctor will give you specific instructions based on your health and current medications.