Cardiology• Updated 21 October 2026
Stress Echocardiogram
An echo done during exercise or with medicine that makes the heart work harder.
Results: Same day
Quick Summary
Primary Purpose
To find reduced blood flow to the heart when a treadmill test isn't suitable or clear.
What It Measures
Heart wall movement at rest and under stress.
Preparation
Avoid caffeine and some heart medicines as advised.
Overview
Medicine (such as dobutamine) can be used if you can't exercise.
It's more accurate than a treadmill ECG alone.
What It Measures
Wall motion
How the heart muscle moves under stress.
How It's Performed
- 01
Rest echo
Baseline images.
- 02
Stress
Exercise or medicine.
- 03
Stress echo
Images at peak.
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.
- Stress Tests(opens in a new tab) · MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine