Analyze heart function at rest and upon physical exertion.
Approximately 1 hour.
Wear comfortable shoes (for walking) and bring a full (updated) list of medication. Patients can eat a light meal before the exam.
With their treating physician's authorization, patients must stop taking the following beta blockers 48 hours before the exam:
- acebutolol (Sectral®)
- atenolol (Tenormin®)
- bisoprolol (Monocor®)
- carvedilol (Coreg®)
- metropolol (Lopressor®)
- nadolol (Corgard®)
With their treating physician's authorization, patients must stop taking the following calcium blockers 48 hours before the exam:
- diltiazem (Cardizem®, Tiazac®)
- verapamil (Isoptin®, Chronovera®)
Before the ultrasound, a resting electrocardiogram is taken. A first series of ultrasound images is then taken while patients are still at rest. Patients then walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike until their heart rate increases to a predetermined target. Immediately after the physical effort, another series of images is taken.
Mild fatigue due to physical exertion.
Patients will be followed by their treating physician.