Stress echo / Dobutamine Stress Echo is a test used to assess how well the heart can function during stress. During stress , the body needs more oxygen and to meet this increased oxygen demand the heart rate increases so as to pump more blood in the body. If there are blockages in the blood vessels supplying the heart the person will develop chest pain as well as changes in ECG during stress. Thus stress echo indirectly assesses presence of blockages in blood vessels supplying the heart.
During Stress Echo , an echocardiogram is done while the patient is lying on examination table. Then ECG electrodes are applied on the chest of patient and he is asked to walk an treadmill. The speed & gradient of treadmill are increased every 3mins. Treadmill is stopped when target heart rate is achieved & an echocardiogram is performed again . If there is blockage in blood vessels supplying heart , RWMA appears in Echo & ECG shows ST - T changes & patient may complain of chest pain .
Stress is produced either by asking patient to walk upon treadmill or by injecting a medicine called dobutamine very slowly.
During Dobutamine Stress Echo an Echocardiogram is performed while patient is lying on examination table . Then Injection Dobutamine is infused very slowly which increases the heart rate of the patient. Injection is stopped when target heart rate is achieved . If there are blockages in the blood vessels supplying heart ,RWMA appears in Echo & ECG shows St - T changes & patient may complain of chest pain.
Stress Echo / Dobutamine Stress Echo can help Dr. Bhushan to evaluate heart's chambers , valves , any structural abnormality , functional capacity of heart & presence of blockages in blood vessels supplying the heart.
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