About Stress ECHO
Key Highlights
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Non-invasive and generally safe with no radiation exposure.Provides real-time, detailed images of heart function under stress.Highly effective for diagnosing coronary artery disease and assessing heart valve function.Helps evaluate the cause of unexplained chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath.Useful for determining a safe level of physical activity and guiding treatment plans.Can assess the effectiveness of previous cardiac procedures or medications./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Evaluation of chest pain (angina) to check for coronary artery disease.
- Assessment of shortness of breath during exertion.
- Monitoring known heart conditions like coronary artery disease or heart valve disease.
- Evaluating heart function and blood flow after a heart attack or cardiac procedure.
- Determining a safe exercise regimen for cardiac rehabilitation.
- Assessing abnormal results from other tests like an ECG or routine echocardiogram.
- Pre-operative assessment for non-cardiac surgery in patients with cardiac risk factors.
How to prepare
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercise (e.g., walking shoes).
- Fast for 2-4 hours before the test; you may drink small amounts of water.
- Inform your cardiologist about all medications; you may be asked to temporarily stop certain heart drugs like beta-blockers.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola) and smoking for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Inform the medical team if you have a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
- Discuss any physical limitations (e.g., arthritis) that may affect your ability to exercise.
Risks & possible complications
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which are usually temporary.
- Chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath during the stress phase.
- Very low risk of heart attack or severe arrhythmia requiring emergency treatment.
- Allergic reaction to medication if a pharmacological stress agent is used.
- Minor discomfort from the echocardiogram transducer pressure on the chest.
- Fatigue or muscle soreness from the exercise component.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You can typically resume normal activities, including driving, immediately after the test.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you exercised.
- Monitor for any delayed symptoms like severe chest pain, dizziness, or palpitations and report them to your doctor.
- Your cardiologist will discuss the results with you, often within a few days, to plan any necessary follow-up or treatment.
- No special wound care is needed as the procedure is non-invasive.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering stress echo in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for stress echo in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform stress echo. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for stress echo compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Stress ECHO in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing stress echo.
Vivaan Roy, a 52-year-old software engineer...
Vivaan Roy, a 52-year-old software engineer and father of two, had always been active but noticed increasing fatigue and occasional chest tightness during his evening walks over the past three months. His father had a history of early-onset coronary artery disease. Concerned, Vivaan visited his primary care physician, who detected a slight murmur and referred him to a cardiologist. The cardiologist, noting his symptoms and family history, recommended a Stress ECHO to evaluate his heart's function and blood flow under exertion, ruling out blockages or valve issues. During the test, Vivaan walked on a treadmill while his heart was monitored via ultrasound. He found the physical challenge manageable but was anxious, watching the screen for any bad news. The procedure concluded without incident. The results showed mild, non-critical mitral valve regurgitation but no significant coronary artery disease. The cardiologist cleared him for continued exercise with monitoring. Emotionally, Vivaan moved from a state of fear and dread about a potential heart condition to immense relief and a proactive mindset. He now focuses on stress management and regular check-ups, feeling empowered about his heart health.
Cardiologists for Stress ECHO
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform stress echo and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 55 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala