Heart Ultrasound with a Cardiac Treadmill Stress Test

If you have a history of health problems that seem to be heart related, your doctor may order a heart ultrasound with a cardiac treadmill stress test. The purpose of this test is to see how the walls of your heart are pumping before and after exercising.

I have a history of tachycardia (fast heart rate), PVC's (premature ventricular contractions), and chest pain with shortness of breath and weakness. I have had two heart ultrasounds with cardiac treadmill stress tests. Your test may not be exactly like mine have been, but it should be close to the following description.

Treadmill Stress Test Preparations

Since the cardiac stress test is performed on a treadmill, you should wear clothing and shoes that will be comfortable to exercise in.

The heart ultrasound and treadmill stress test are both done in the same room. When you get to this room, you will be asked to put on a gown. Then a nurse will place electrode stickers on you and hook you up to a bunch of wires that will keep track of your heart and oxygen level throughout the test. Next, the nurse will also check your blood pressure. You will then be asked to lie down so the nurse can do an EKG to make sure you are okay to do the treadmill stress test.

The First Heart Ultrasound

Next, an ultrasound technician will do the ultrasound of your heart. You will be asked to lie on your left side for the ultrasound. The ultrasound tech will put some warm conducting gel on the ultrasound wand and then place it on your chest. There will be some pressure as the wand is moved around to get specific pictures of your heart. The ultrasound tech will ask you to hold your breath for certain pictures. The ultrasound will only take a few minutes, then you will get ready for the treadmill stress test.

What to Expect During the Treadmill Stress Test

A cardiologist will come in to oversee the treadmill stress test. You will be hooked up to the monitor that will keep track of your heart and oxygen level as well as a blood pressure cuff throughout the treadmill stress test. You will be told that if you are not okay while on the treadmill, you can let them know at any time and the test will be stopped.

The treadmill will be started out very slowly with the speed being increased every few minutes until you reach a target heart rate. You will continue to walk on the treadmill for a couple more minutes after the target heart rate is reached. They will let you know when it's close to the time to stop and will count down as you reach the end. The treadmill will then be stopped and you will need to quickly walk over to the bed to have a second ultrasound of your heart done while your heart is still going faster from the exercise on the treadmill.

The Second Heart Ultrasound and Results

I found it to be more difficult to hold your breath for pictures during the second ultrasound since I was breathing harder. This ultrasound is the same as the first, except the cardiologist is there to see the results and the nurse will check your blood pressure to see how your are doing after abruptly stopping the treadmill. My blood pressure dropped lower than normal, so after the ultrasound was complete, the nurse had me sit up and took my blood pressure again. That time it was fine and I felt okay. The cardiologist told me the results of the tests right away, which fortunately were good.

After the Test Is Complete

After the heart ultrasound and treadmill stress test is complete, you will be unhooked from all of the wires and monitors and allowed to go.

Other than being a little winded from the treadmill and my blood pressure dropping momentarily, I noticed no adverse reactions to either test.

Further Reading:

Tachycardia and PVCs - Fast Heart Rate and Palpitations

Cardiac Exercise Stress Test

Cardiac Myoview Stress Test - Heart Scan