Stress Echo

[Paleowoman]

My cardiologist mentioned about me having a stress echocardiogram at some point in the future. I looked this up and it seems that this is usually done when a person has coronary artery disease which will sometimes only show up when the person is exercising. So I'm wondering why the cardiologist is thinking of ordering this test for me ? And to do it with some kind of medication to speed my heart up (that's what he said) rather than using a treadmill - I read that the med is only used for people who cannot exercise ! Not only can I exercise but I definitely haven't got coronary artery disease - I've had a CT angiogram so I know ! Has anyone else had a stress echo when they only have bicuspid aortic valve and stenosis from it ?

Anne

 

[Julian]

I had a stress test but not a stress echo. I think it would be good to do a stress echo, not only will they be able to measure your exertion tolerance with EKG, but also they will check out your valve area and pressure under stress. No worries, this is a good thing.

 

[skrzyp]

I had regular stress echos (around 1/yr, on a treadmill) before surgery for a prolapsed MV. I also had regular echos. I believe these tests were to provide a baseline for cardiac performance, and to be able to detect any valve-related degradation.

 

[Cooker]

My guy does a stress echo on me every year ... SOP for some cardiologist.

 

[spartangator]

To echo everyone else, nothing odd here. It's a useful way to learn about how our hearts function. I've had several over the years for what was a bicuspid valve.

 

[Paleowoman]

Thanks everyone ! You have put my mind at rest !

Anne