It is used to investigate the function of your heart during physical activity. Exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster and reveal problems with blood flow within your heart. Although your heart may not show any signs of problems at rest, it may show during exercise.
An echocardiogram is performed at the beginning of the test to assess the size, structure and function of your heart muscle and valves at rest. Your heart rhythm and blood pressure will also be recorded. The treadmill will start at a slow walking pace and will increase its speed and incline at set intervals until the desired heart rate is reached. Your ECG and Blood pressure as well as symptoms will be monitored during the exercise. Once target heart rate is reached the treadmill will stop and a repeat echo will be performed at peak exercise to compare to initial assessment.
