Specialised cardiac ultrasound testing to assess how your heart performs under stress when exercise testing is not suitable.
Accurate heart testing with a personalised approach.
A Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram is a specialised ultrasound test used to assess how your heart functions under stress.
Instead of exercise, a medication called dobutamine is used to safely increase your heart rate and mimic the effects of physical activity. This allows your cardiologist to evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle and identify areas that may not be receiving enough oxygen.
This test is particularly useful for patients who are unable to perform physical exercise but still require an accurate assessment of heart function under stress. It provides valuable information to help diagnose coronary artery disease and guide treatment decisions.
During your appointment, our clinical team will:
Explain the procedure and answer any questions
Place monitoring equipment
Insert IV line for medication
Take ultrasound images of your heart
Closely monitor you throughout the test
Once the test is complete, the medication is stopped and your heart rate is allowed to return to normal.
Your cardiologist will analyse the images and a report will be sent to your referring doctor.
A Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram may be recommended if your doctor needs to assess how your heart performs under stress but a traditional exercise stress test is not suitable.
It is commonly used to investigate:
Chest pain or discomfort
Shortness of breath
Suspected coronary artery disease
Reduced exercise capacity
Symptoms that may suggest impaired blood flow to the heart muscle
It can also help guide further management and treatment planning.
Please bring:
This helps ensure your cardiologist has all the information needed to provide accurate assessment and advice.
