An exercise stress echocardiogram combines ultrasound imaging of the heart with a treadmill or bicycle exercise test to assess how the heart responds to physical exertion. It is used primarily to detect coronary artery disease, evaluate exercise capacity, and assess cardiac function under stress.
The test captures echocardiographic images before and immediately after exercise to detect changes in heart wall motion that may indicate reduced blood flow to areas of the heart. It is commonly performed in patients with chest pain, shortness of breath, or cardiovascular risk factors, and provides valuable information to guide diagnosis, risk stratification and management.
This test suits patients who can walk on a treadmill and who have chest pain, breathlessness on exertion, or cardiovascular risk factors that need assessment. If you are unable to exercise, an alternative such as a dobutamine stress echo may be considered. Our team will confirm which test is most suitable.
We record an echo at rest, then you exercise on a treadmill or bicycle that gradually increases in intensity while we monitor you closely. A second set of images is captured immediately after peak exercise. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking, and follow any preparation instructions we provide when you book.
Exercise stress echocardiography is useful for the assessment of suspected coronary artery disease, functional capacity and symptom correlation in patients able to exercise. It provides both ischaemia and functional information. The study is physician supervised and reported with clinical correlation.
