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Cardiolucent

Procedure

Stress echocardiogram

Diagnostics & Exams

A stress echocardiogram combines a treadmill exercise test with cardiac ultrasound. We image your heart at rest, have you exercise to a target heart rate under continuous monitoring, then image again immediately afterward. By comparing how each wall of the heart contracts at rest versus under demand, Dr. Kedan can detect areas that aren't getting enough blood flow — the hallmark of significant coronary artery disease. Adding direct imaging to the EKG substantially improves accuracy, particularly for women, patients with abnormal baseline EKGs, and anyone whose symptoms don't fit the classic pattern. The imaging component also lets us evaluate valve function and pulmonary pressures under exertion.

What's Included

  • Resting baseline echocardiogram
  • Treadmill exercise to target heart rate with continuous monitoring
  • 12-lead EKG and blood-pressure tracking throughout
  • Immediate post-exercise echo for wall-motion comparison
  • Side-by-side rest vs. stress wall-motion analysis
  • Valve function and pulmonary-pressure assessment under exertion
  • Same-day results walkthrough with Dr. Kedan

How It's Performed

The study is coordinated at a partner imaging center with full echocardiography capability. After resting images are captured, you'll walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed and incline every few minutes. Your EKG, blood pressure, and symptoms are tracked continuously. Once you reach your target heart rate or ask to stop, you'll move quickly to the exam table for a second set of images while the heart is still working hard. Total appointment time is roughly 60 to 90 minutes, with active exercise typically lasting 6 to 12 minutes.

How to Prepare

  • Wear comfortable workout clothing and athletic shoes you can walk briskly in.
  • Avoid caffeine for 24 hours beforehand — it blunts the heart-rate response.
  • Don't eat a heavy meal in the 3 hours prior; a light snack is fine.
  • Bring a current medication list. Dr. Kedan will advise specifically about beta-blockers or rate-lowering drugs.
  • Never stop a prescription without that specific guidance.

What to Expect After

You'll spend a few minutes in recovery while heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline. There is no sedation, no contrast injection, and no extended recovery — you can drive yourself home. Dr. Kedan reviews the rest and post-exercise images with you the same day, before you leave. You'll see your own pre- and post-exercise pictures side by side and understand exactly what they show — whether everything looked reassuring or whether a specific area warrants closer evaluation.

Indications

  • Chest discomfort with exertion suspicious for coronary disease
  • Unexplained shortness of breath on exertion
  • Decline in exercise tolerance
  • Abnormal resting EKG that limits standard stress-test interpretation
  • Risk stratification of known coronary or valve disease
  • Follow-up after revascularization (PCI or bypass)
  • Evaluation of valve disease behavior under physiologic demand

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a stress echocardiogram?
A stress echocardiogram combines a treadmill exercise test with cardiac ultrasound. We image your heart at rest, have you exercise to a target heart rate under continuous monitoring, then image again immediately afterward. By comparing how each wall of the heart contracts at rest versus under demand, Dr. Kedan can detect areas that aren't getting enough blood flow — the hallmark of significant coronary artery disease.
Why would my doctor order a stress echo?
It's used to evaluate chest pain, unexplained shortness of breath on exertion, or a decline in exercise tolerance, and to assess patients with known heart disease before changes in activity or after a procedure. It's also a useful objective measure of how the heart and valves respond to real physiologic demand — information that no resting test can provide.
How do I prepare for a stress echocardiogram?
Wear comfortable workout clothing and athletic shoes you can walk briskly in. Avoid caffeine for 24 hours beforehand, since it can blunt the heart rate response. Don't eat a heavy meal in the 3 hours prior — a light snack is fine. Dr. Kedan will advise you specifically about whether to hold any beta-blockers or other heart-rate-lowering medications the morning of the test; never stop a prescription without that guidance.
What happens during the test?
After resting images are captured, you'll walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed and incline every few minutes. Your EKG, blood pressure, and symptoms are tracked continuously by Dr. Kedan and the team. Once you've reached your target heart rate or asked to stop, you'll move quickly to the exam table for a second set of images while your heart is still working hard. The whole appointment usually runs about an hour.
Is it safe? Are there risks?
Stress echo is a very safe test when performed under direct physician supervision, which is how it's done here. Serious complications are rare. The most common experiences are temporary leg fatigue, breathlessness, or a brief rise in blood pressure during exercise. Dr. Kedan monitors you in real time and stops the test the moment any concerning signal appears.
What if I can't exercise?
If a knee, hip, balance, or pulmonary issue limits your ability to walk on a treadmill, a pharmacologic stress study (using a medication that simulates exercise on the heart) is the right alternative. Dr. Kedan will discuss whether that option — or a different test entirely, such as a coronary CT angiogram — better fits your situation. (310) 304-5555 to talk through what makes sense.
How long does the test take and can I drive home afterward?
Total appointment time is roughly 60 to 90 minutes, with active exercise typically lasting 6 to 12 minutes. Yes — you can drive yourself home. There's no sedation, no contrast injection, and no recovery period beyond catching your breath and rehydrating.
When will I find out the results?
Dr. Kedan reviews the images and the EKG tracings with you the same day, before you leave. You'll see your own pre- and post-exercise pictures side by side and understand exactly what they show — whether everything looked reassuring or whether a specific area warrants closer evaluation.
Is a stress echocardiogram covered by insurance?
Cardiolucent does not accept Medicare or insurance and bills patients directly. We provide a detailed superbill that you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement rates depend on your individual plan.
What's the difference between a stress echo and a regular stress test?
A standard exercise stress test relies on the EKG alone to look for changes during exercise. A stress echo adds direct imaging of the heart muscle, which substantially improves accuracy — particularly for women, patients with abnormal baseline EKGs, and anyone whose symptoms don't fit the classic pattern. The imaging component also lets us evaluate valve function and pulmonary pressures under exertion.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.