Stress Echo (Stress Echocardiography)

The Stress Echo is a safe and highly accurate imaging test, ideal for diagnosing heart conditions, especially when there is a suspicion of coronary artery blockages or myocardial ischemia.

This test combines:

High-resolution echocardiography,
90% diagnostic accuracy without the use of radiation or contrast agents that could affect kidney function,
Simplicity and applicability to almost all patients.

How Is Stress Echo Performed?

Stress Echo combines ultrasound (“Triplex”) imaging with cardiac stress, which can be induced in two ways:

Physical Exercise: Performed on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.
Pharmacological Stress: Administration of a medication (dobutamine) that mimics the effects of exercise.

The choice of method depends on:

Equipment availability,
The physicians’ expertise,
The patient’s medical history and characteristics.

Enhanced Imaging

For better visualization of the endocardium and increased sensitivity, an intravenous contrast agent (safe and kidney-friendly) may be administered to enhance the imaging quality.

Indications for Stress Echo

Stress Echo is primarily used for:

Diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with or without symptoms and risk factors (e.g., hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hypertension, diabetes).
Monitoring after acute coronary syndromes (heart attack, angina).
Assessment of heart function after surgical procedures (bypass surgery, angioplasty).
Evaluation of myocardial viability following a heart attack.
Diagnosis of coronary artery disease in heart transplant patients.
Assessment of valvular heart disease and diastolic dysfunction.

Advantages of Stress Echo

Compared to a standard exercise stress test, Stress Echo offers greater diagnostic accuracy and is ideal for:

Individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease.
Women, in whom the standard exercise test may yield false-positive results.

Safety and Side Effects

Stress Echo is a safe test, with rare and mild side effects, including:

Chest pain,
Increased or decreased blood pressure,
Palpitations,
Nausea, dizziness, or fatigue (mainly with pharmacological stress).

Serious complications, such as a heart attack, are extremely rare. The test is performed under continuous medical supervision in a controlled environment.

Conclusion

Stress Echo is the first-line choice for diagnosing heart conditions, with an expanding range of indications. When performed by specialized cardiologists in modern facilities, it provides accurate results with minimal risk.

Ioannis Barbetses MD, PhD – Cardiologist of Kosmoiatriki

Maria Bonou MD, PhD – Cardiologist of Kosmoiatriki