Stress Echocardiograms in Springwood
A stress echocardiogram combines two tests in one: an ultrasound scan of your heart and an exercise test, usually on a treadmill. By comparing images of your heart at rest with images taken immediately after exercise, your cardiologist can see how your heart performs when it is working hard, something a resting scan alone cannot show.
At Yarrabilba Cardiology & Specialist Centre, stress echocardiograms are supervised by our specialist cardiologists and performed with our cardiac sonographer, with results reported promptly to your referring GP. Bulk billing is available for eligible patients with a valid Medicare referral.
Why Your Doctor May Order a Stress Echocardiogram
- To investigate chest pain, breathlessness or reduced exercise capacity
- To check for coronary artery disease, where narrowed arteries may only limit blood flow during exertion
- To assess symptoms that occur with activity but not at rest
- To evaluate heart valve conditions under exercise
- To assess your heart’s functional capacity before certain treatments or surgery
- To review known heart disease when symptoms have changed
Some heart problems stay hidden at rest. During exercise, healthy arteries widen to supply more blood; narrowed arteries cannot, and the affected heart muscle moves differently on the scan. That difference is what the test is designed to catch.
What Happens During the Test
Allow around 45 to 60 minutes for the whole appointment. Tell the team immediately if you feel chest pain, severe breathlessness or dizziness at any point during the test.
How to Prepare for a Stress Echocardiogram
- Wear comfortable clothing and flat walking shoes or runners
- Have only a light meal, and avoid heavy food for around 2 hours before the test
- Avoid caffeine on the day of your test unless told otherwise
- Take your usual medications unless your doctor has specifically told you to withhold any. Some heart medications, such as beta blockers, can affect the test, so follow the instructions given when you book
- Bring your referral, Medicare card and medication list
Is the Test Safe?
Stress echocardiography is a well-established, non-invasive test performed under continuous monitoring with a cardiologist present. Serious complications are rare. The exercise component carries the same kinds of risks as vigorous exercise generally, which is exactly why the test is done in a monitored clinical setting. If you cannot exercise on a treadmill, talk to your referring doctor, as alternative forms of stress testing may be arranged.
Getting Your Results
Your cardiologist reviews the resting and post-exercise images together and prepares a report for your referring GP. Significant findings are communicated to your GP as a priority. Depending on the results, the next step may be reassurance, medication adjustment, further imaging such as a CT coronary angiogram, or a cardiology consultation to plan treatment.
Stress Echocardiogram FAQs
Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the full appointment, including preparation, exercise and recovery.
Bulk billing is available for eligible patients with a valid Medicare referral. Confirm your eligibility with our team when booking.
Comfortable clothes you can exercise in and flat walking shoes or runners. You will be asked to undress from the waist up for the scan, and a gown is provided.
Have only a light meal beforehand and avoid heavy food for about 2 hours before your appointment. Avoid caffeine on the day unless told otherwise.
Let your referring doctor and our team know when booking. Alternative stress testing options can be discussed based on your circumstances.
A stress ECG records only the heart’s electrical activity during exercise. A stress echocardiogram adds ultrasound imaging before and after exercise, showing how the heart muscle itself moves, which generally makes it more informative for detecting coronary artery disease.
Book a Stress Echocardiogram
Have a referral for a stress echo? Contact our team to arrange your test at our Yarrabilba clinic.