Alabama Heart and Vascular Medicine - Tuscaloosa Cardiologists
  • Home
  • Team
    • Phil Hemstreet, M.D.
    • Dana Hemstreet, CRNP
    • Jeremy Kelley, CRNP
    • Bradley Titus, M.D.
    • Amy Moore, CRNP
  • Services
    • Nuclear/Stress
    • Echo/Vascular >
      • Ankle To Brachial Index "ABI"
      • Aorta Duplex Scan
      • Carotid Artery Duplex Scan
      • Echocardiogram
      • Groin Duplex Scan
      • Lower Extremity Arterial Study (LEA)
      • Lower Extremity Venous Study (LEV)
      • Renal Arteriogram
      • Renal Artery Duplex Scan
      • Stress Echocardiogram
      • Venous Duplex Scan
      • Venous Reflux Study
    • Holter/Event Monitor >
      • Holter Monitor
      • Event Monitor
    • Hospital Procedures >
      • Angioplasty
      • Angioplasty and Stent Placement - Heart
      • Arteriograms
      • Atherectomy
      • Cardioversion
      • Carotid Arteriogram
      • ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
      • Left Heart Catheterization
      • Loop Recorder
      • Pacemaker
      • Renal Arteriogram
      • Right Heart Catherization
      • Tilt Table
      • Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
    • Pacemaker
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      • Endovenous Laser Ablation
      • Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation
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  • Office-based Cath Lab
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STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM

Stress echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound imaging to show how well your heart muscle is working to pump blood to your body. It is mainly used to detect a decrease in blood flow to the heart from narrowing in the coronary arteries.

How the Test is Performed: 
This test is done at a medical center or health care provider's office.

A resting echocardiogram will be done first. While you lie on your left side with your left arm out, a small device called a transducer is held against your chest. A special gel is used to help the ultrasound waves get to your heart.

Most people will walk on a treadmill. Gradually, about every 3 minutes, you will be asked to walk  faster and on an incline. It is like being asked to walk fast or jog up a hill.

In most cases, you will need to walk for around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your level of fitness and your age. Your doctor will ask you to stop:
  •  When your heart is beating at the target rate
  •  When you are too tired to continue
  •  If you are having chest pain or a change in your blood pressure that worries the provider administering the test 
Your blood pressure and heart rhythm (ECG) will be monitored throughout the procedure.

More echocardiogram images will be taken while your heart rate is increasing, or when it reaches its peak. The images will show whether any parts of the heart muscle do not work as well when your heart rate increases. This is a sign that part of the heart may not be getting enough blood or oxygen because of narrowed or blocked arteries.

​ ©2017 Alabama Heart and Vascular Medicine. All rights Reserved. 
100 Rice Mine Road Loop, Suite 104 Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 
(205) 561-2370 
  • Home
  • Team
    • Phil Hemstreet, M.D.
    • Dana Hemstreet, CRNP
    • Jeremy Kelley, CRNP
    • Bradley Titus, M.D.
    • Amy Moore, CRNP
  • Services
    • Nuclear/Stress
    • Echo/Vascular >
      • Ankle To Brachial Index "ABI"
      • Aorta Duplex Scan
      • Carotid Artery Duplex Scan
      • Echocardiogram
      • Groin Duplex Scan
      • Lower Extremity Arterial Study (LEA)
      • Lower Extremity Venous Study (LEV)
      • Renal Arteriogram
      • Renal Artery Duplex Scan
      • Stress Echocardiogram
      • Venous Duplex Scan
      • Venous Reflux Study
    • Holter/Event Monitor >
      • Holter Monitor
      • Event Monitor
    • Hospital Procedures >
      • Angioplasty
      • Angioplasty and Stent Placement - Heart
      • Arteriograms
      • Atherectomy
      • Cardioversion
      • Carotid Arteriogram
      • ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
      • Left Heart Catheterization
      • Loop Recorder
      • Pacemaker
      • Renal Arteriogram
      • Right Heart Catherization
      • Tilt Table
      • Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
    • Pacemaker
  • Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Make a Payment
    • Imaging and Radiology
    • Lab
  • Education
    • Blood Thinners
    • Weight Loss
    • Exercise
    • Smoking
    • American Heart Association
  • Forms
  • Medical Records
  • Vein Clinic
    • Venous Insufficiency
    • Treatments >
      • Endovenous Laser Ablation
      • Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation
      • Phlebectomy
      • Sclerotherapy
  • Office-based Cath Lab
  • The Way
  • Contact Us