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What is an Echo Stress Test?
(August 12, 2011)
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The speed at which the heart functions depends on the load that the body is under at any given time. When the individual is resting, the heart rate will be low and any defects in the heart or circulatory system may not show up. However, when the heart rate rises, these defects may come into the picture. Heart defects are dangerous for the health of the individual as they can lead to catastrophic cardiac events. Thus, an echo stress test is performed to check the state of the heart during rest and, subsequently, during exercise.
An echo stress test procedure begins with the individual resting on the clinic bed. The heart is scanned using an ultrasound machine which will help to produce several different images of the heart. Once this is complete, the patient will move to the exercise part of the echo stress test. Here the individual is made to exercise on a treadmill which is being gradually speeded up to increase the intensity of the workout. During intervals in this workout, the heart is scanned again and again to check for any defects that might become visible when it is beating at a rapid rate. The echo stress test is conducted both on healthy people as a precaution as well as on individuals with suspected heart trouble as a diagnostic tool.
The echo stress test cost depends entirely on the location where the individual is conducting the test. One can consult with one’s doctor and insurance advisor to figure out the cost of an echo stress test. The echo stress test is conducted along with other tests which measure various parameters of the performance of the heart such as blood pressure as well as heart rate. Any rhythm abnormalities can also be tested at this stage.
The echo stress test accuracy depends a lot on the skill of the person performing the procedure. In most cases, the test is recorded for further analysis which can be conducted by a team of specialists later on. This improves the accuracy of the test. An echo stress test is a fairly routine test. While the individual need not fast before the test, it is important to have not eaten for a few hours before the test as this will ensure that there is no discomfort associated with exercise in a full stomach. An echo stress test should be conducted during periodic health checkups.
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Submitted by N on August 12, 2011 at 09:14
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