What is an echo stress test like?

An echo stress test, or stress echocardiography, is a simple test that utilizes ultrasound imaging to view a patient's heart after he exercises. The test is ordered by doctors to determine if a patient has proper blood flow in his heart, according to MedlinePlus.

During the first stage an echo stress test, a simple echocardiogram test is completed, according to MedlinePlus. This test is performed by an ultrasound technician who takes ultrasound images and videos of the patient's heart. Next, the patient walks on a treadmill until he reaches his target heart rate. Then, the ultrasound technician once again takes images of the patient's heart while it is contracting quickly.