Exercise Stress Echocardiogram
Assessing Your Heart Health with Dr Ibrar Ahmed
At OneMedicine, we offer the Exercise Stress Echocardiogram to help evaluate how your heart functions when it’s under physical stress.
This advanced test combines an echocardiogram (which uses ultrasound to capture images of your heart) with a stress test, where you walk or run on a treadmill while your heart is closely monitored. The test helps us detect potential heart problems, such as coronary artery disease, which may only become apparent during physical exertion.
What is an exercise stress echocardiogram?
An Exercise Stress Echocardiogram is a specialised test that provides a detailed look at how well your heart pumps blood during exercise. It allows us to assess how efficiently your heart works when under stress, simulating real-life conditions such as physical activity. This test is especially useful for diagnosing conditions like coronary artery disease (blockages in the blood vessels that supply the heart) or assessing heart function in people experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath during exertion
Cost
- Exercise induced stress Echocardiogram (with contrast) £440
- Drug induced stress Echocardiogram £440
How is the exercise stress echocardiogram done?
The test is straightforward and usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, including preparation and recovery time. Here’s what to expect:
- Preparation: Sticky electrode patches will be placed on your chest to monitor your heart’s electrical activity throughout the test. These are connected to an ECG machine that records your heart’s rhythm.
- Exercise phase: You will start by walking on a treadmill at a slow pace. Every few minutes, the treadmill’s speed and incline will increase, making your heart work harder. The aim is to gradually push your heart towards a target heart rate that reflects its maximum safe capacity during exercise.
- Heart monitoring: While you’re exercising, a technician will use an ultrasound device (echocardiogram) to take images of your heart. Throughout the test, your heart rate, blood pressure, and any symptoms you may experience, like chest pain or shortness of breath, will be monitored.
- Completion: The test will continue until you reach your target heart rate, develop significant symptoms, or Dr Ahmed advises stopping. After the exercise, you’ll be asked to lie down for another set of echocardiogram images, which will help compare your heart’s function at rest and under stress.
- Analysis: Dr Ahmed will review the images and data collected during the test to assess your heart’s response to exercise. This information is crucial for diagnosing any heart issues and determining the next steps in your care.
Who should consider an exercise stress echocardiogram?
This test is particularly useful for individuals who:
- Experience chest pain, breathlessness, or other symptoms during physical exertion
- Have risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart problems
- Have previously been diagnosed with heart disease and need to assess how well their heart is functioning
- Require a comprehensive evaluation before starting an intensive exercise regimen or undergoing surgery
- Want to monitor their heart health after a heart attack or other cardiovascular treatments
Expert heart health assessment
At OneMedicine, Dr Ibrar Ahmed leads our cardiovascular diagnostic services with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing heart conditions. His patient-first approach ensures that your Exercise Stress Echocardiogram is carefully performed, and your results are analysed in detail to provide a clear and comprehensive understanding of your heart health. With Dr Ahmeds expertise, you can rest assured that any necessary treatments or follow-up actions will be based on the most accurate data and the latest cardiovascular research.
Get seen by Dr Ibrar Ahmed
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath during physical activity, the Exercise Stress Echocardiogram can provide valuable insights into the health of your heart. Early detection and treatment of heart conditions are key to preventing more serious complications down the road.
Don’t wait—schedule your Exercise Stress Echocardiogram with Dr Ibrar Ahmed today and take the next step towards a healthier heart.
