Stress echocardiograms and Dobutamine stress echocardiograms are ultrasound studies of your heart muscle, heart valves and pericardium (the sac surrounding your heart). These painless tests use sound waves to see how well your heart is working during rest and during exercise.

During a stress echocardiogram, you will use a treadmill to increase your heart rate. Dobutamine stress echocardiograms are for patients who cannot exercise on a treadmill. Dobutamine is a medicine that makes your heart beat faster and stronger while you lie on an exam table.

A wand-like instrument makes the sound waves. As the ultrasound wand is moved over your chest, pictures of your heart appear on a screen and are recorded digitally. By saving select images of your heart, it is possible for your doctor to compare how your heart muscle works.

The stress echo takes about 1 hour to complete, including preparation time. The Dobutamine stress echo takes about 90 minutes to complete, including preparation time. On the day of your appointment, go to the second floor of Abbott Northwestern’s Heart Hospital to Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services. (Choose from the following links to view maps and directions or a campus guide.) When you register, you will be given a pager, which we will use to notify you when we’re ready for your test to begin. A technician will escort you to the exam room.

• Ask your doctor ahead of time if you should take your usual medicines the day of the test, especially if you have diabetes.
• Do not eat or drink 4 hours before the test.
• Do not smoke 2 hours before the test.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing (slacks and a top) and walking shoes.
• Tell the technician if you are pregnant.

• You will undress to your waist and be given a gown to wear.
• The technician will put electrocardiogram (EKG) patches on your chest to monitor your heart rate.
• You will lie on your left side on an exam table while the technician takes ultrasound images of your heart.
• Your blood pressure will be checked, and the cuff will be left in place for regular blood pressure checks during the test.

If you are having a Dobutamine stress echo

• A small, intravenous line will be placed in your hand or arm. This will allow Dobutamine to be infused.

If you are having a stress echo

• You will walk in place on a treadmill.
• Every three minutes, the treadmill will gradually increase in speed and tilt upward, like a small hill.
• When you reach your maximum level of exercise, you will be told to stop.
• Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored during the test. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will change. This is normal.
• You will then walk in place on a treadmill.
• Every 3 minutes, the treadmill will gradually increase in speed and tilt upward, like a small hill.
• During the test, you will be asked to report any chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, increased fatigue, leg pain, dizziness or if you feel faint.
• When you reach your maximum level of exercise, you will be told to stop.
• After you stop exercising, you will lie on your left side and the technician will take additional pictures of your heart.
• You may need to have a stress echocardiogram with contrast. This is the same test as the echocardiogram test, except that contrast solution is added through the IV line. Contrast solution is sometimes needed when ultrasound images are unclear.

• Your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored until your heartbeat returns to normal.
• The doctor will display the two sets of images side by side to compare the way your heart works at rest and after exercise.
• Your doctor will talk with you about your test results.
• You may return to your normal activities.

If you have any questions about preparation or the exam itself, please call the Minneapolis Heart Institute at 612-863-3900.

Other tests for this sub-specialty

• Cardiovascular MRI
• Coronary CT Angiogram Scan
• Echocardiogram 
• Exercise Stress Testing
• HeartScan (Electron Beam Coronary Calcium Scoring)
• MUGA Scan (Radionuclide Angiogram)
• Mycardial Perfusion Scan
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram