What is it?

A stress echo is a combination of an ultrasound and exercise ECG test (also known as a stress test) which compares how your heart muscle is pumping before and after exercise. This painless and non-invasive test will take around 40 minutes, and helps us evaluate the function of the heart, assess your coronary arteries, evaluate your blood pressure, and look for electrical abnormalities on the ECG.

What to expect

We perform the test in our consulting rooms with a technician and a supervising cardiologist. We initially use ultrasound imaging to see how the heart is performing at rest. Then you’ll be asked to spend up to 10 minutes on a treadmill to measure the heart under stress. After this, more echo pictures are taken to evaluate the heart function while under stress.

What to bring

• Wear two-piece clothing that is comfortable and loose-fitting (e.g. tracksuit pants and shirt). A loose-fitting gown will be provided.
• Wear comfortable shoes such as joggers.
• Bring a list of your medications.
• Bring a list of past medical procedures.