Stress echocardiogram (ESE)

A stress echocardiogram (ESE) is a test that combines an echocardiogram, and stress ECG, into one test.

Firstly, you will complete the resting part of the test by having an echocardiogram (ultrasound of your heart), which is used as a baseline. The echocardiogram will provide detail on your heart walls and chambers, valves, pumping strength, and blood flow, before stress is placed on the heart.

With electrode stickers placed on your heart, you will then perform the exercise/stress part of the test, by walking on a treadmill (which will increase in pace and incline every few minutes of the test). The aim is to get your heart rate up to an increased level.

You will be asked to stop walking if you have chest pain, are too short of breath to continue, if you have painful joints and cannot continue, or if the doctor feels that you have exercised for long enough to get the necessary information.

Once this is achieved you will be asked to quickly lie down on the bed again, so that the sonographer can take further ultrasound images of your heart while your heart rate is still high/under stress.

The test provides details on:

• Blood Flow – it will provide useful information on reduced blood flow to the heart, caused by narrow or blocked arteries
• It provides direct comparison and detail of the heart at rest versus the heart under stress
• It evaluates a person’s valves and chambers and how well these operate under stress

The cardiologist will review all the images and ECG’s and will send a full report to your referring doctor.