The sonographer will quickly do another echocardiogram.Īfter the tests, you’ll exercise slowly to cool down. You’ll exercise until you can’t do it anymore. In the meantime, they’ll watch the EKG monitor for changes and ask about any symptoms. The medical team will slowly raise the intensity. Then, you’ll get on a treadmill or a stationary bicycle and start exercising.
The sonographer will first do a transthoracic echocardiogram. They’ll chart your heart activity and take your pulse and blood pressure. Nitroglycerin ( Minitran patch, Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur patch)įor the procedure, a cardiac sonographer will stick EKG electrodes to your chest.Isosorbide dinitrate ( Dilatrate SR, Isordil).Beta-blockers such as atenolol ( Tenormin), carvedilol ( Coreg), metoprolol ( Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol ( Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL).Ask what you should do if you take one of these drugs: Your doctor may tell you to stop taking certain heart medications on the day of your test. Caffeine and nicotine might affect the results. Don’t drink or eat anything with caffeine (such as cola, chocolate, coffee, tea, or medications) for 24 hours before. It can also show a lack of blood flow that might not appear on other heart tests.ĭon’t eat or drink anything but water for 4 hours before the test. It shows the motion of your heart's walls and pumping action when it’s working hard. You have this test while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. You might still be drowsy or dizzy, so someone else should drive you home. Nurses will monitor you for 20 to 30 minutes afterward.ĭon’t eat or drink until the sedative wears off, which takes an hour after the test. Once the probe is in place, it will take pictures of your heart. This takes a few seconds and may be uncomfortable. They might ask you to swallow to help the probe along. You’ll get a mild sedative to help you relax.Ī member of the medical team will pass the ultrasound probe into your mouth, down your throat, and into your esophagus. They’ll also put a blood pressure monitor on your arm and a pulse oximeter clip on your finger to watch your vital signs. A technician will stick EKG electrodes on your chest.
If you use medicine or insulin for diabetes, ask your doctor or the testing center about it.īefore the transesophageal echocardiogram, a nurse will put an intravenous line (IV) into a vein in your arm or hand so they can give you medications. Take all of your medications at the usual times, with a small sip of water if necessary. Tell your doctor beforehand if you have any problems with your esophagus, such as a hiatal hernia, swallowing problems, or cancer.ĭon’t eat or drink anything for 6 hours before the test. Because it’s closer to your heart, it can get a clearer picture. Afterward, you can get dressed and go back to your routine.įor this test, the transducer goes down your throat and into your esophagus (the swallowing tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). You won’t feel anything during the test except coolness from the gel and slight pressure from the transducer. They might also ask you to hold your breath sometimes. The sonographer might ask you to move around so they can take pictures of different areas of your heart. You may or may not hear the sounds during the test. There will be a small amount of gel on the end to help create clearer pictures.Ĭhanges in the sound waves, called Doppler signals, can show the direction and speed of blood moving through your heart.
The sonographer will run a wand (called a sound-wave transducer) across several areas of your chest. You’ll lie on your left side on an exam table. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor ( EKG or ECG) that tracks your heart's electrical activity. A specialist called a cardiac sonographer will put three electrodes (small, flat, sticky patches) on your chest. You’ll take off your clothing from the waist up and put on a hospital gown. Take all of your medications at the regular times. On the day of the test, eat and drink as you usually would. It sends high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that bounce off your heart, creating images and sounds. Specialists use the same technology to check a baby's health before birth.Ī technician will put a hand-held device called a transducer on your chest. It’s like an X-ray but without the radiation.
Your doctor will tell you more about which is best for you.
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