If you are scheduled to have a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram soon, here's what you can expect. This stress test is done when a patient is not able to get on a treadmill for a traditional stress test. During a Dobutamine stress echo, a medication called Dobutamine is given intravenously to speed up your heart rate to get the same effect as if you were exercising. Your doctor may order this test to evaluate how your heart and valves function when your heart is beating faster than usual. It helps determine how well your heart tolerates exercise, how likely you are of having coronary artery problems and also to evaluate if your current cardiac treatment plan is effective. Throughout the test, an Echo Technologist is taking ultrasound images of your heart and your blood pressure is continuously monitored as well. The cardiologist supervises this test and reviews the images and readings obtained during the test. Your test results will be sent to your Primary Care Provider and a follow-up appointment will be made for the doctor to go over the test results with you.

• published: 06 Jan 2014
• views: 9