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What Does A Stress ECHO Help Diagnose?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017
Question: What does a stress echo help diagnose? What about cardiac MRI? I have both scheduled but I am not really sure what my doctor is looking to find. My main symptoms are shortness of breath and fast heart rate
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Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please, find the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Stress echo is indicated for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease severety, when at rest we have some changes, but we are not sure. And CMR, cardiac MRI, is a very sensitive test to find out subtle changes in heart muscle, we usually order it if we suspect a cardiomyopathy, but may order it also to for evaluating ejection fraction and some other specific cases, such as myocarditis.
They both may complete each other, when we are not sure with the diagnosis.

Take care

Come back if you have any further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (12 hours later)
I feel better when I lay down so my concern is the echo will not be helpful because even though I feel short of breath with activity, when they do the second set of images they have me laying back down again.

Also, my symptoms like shortness of breath get worse when using my arms for things or lifting things like groceries. Do any cardiac problems cause these symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:
Your complaints may be caused either by cardiac, or respiratory, or GI or spine problems or anxiety. Even if you have no complaints when laying on your back, stress echo will reveal if there are some problems related to heart vessels or valves. And CMR will show structural abnormalities.
If the heart problem is ruled out, when your doctor will proceed to other tests to find out the cause of your complaints.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1536 Questions

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What Does A Stress ECHO Help Diagnose?

Brief Answer: Please, find the detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi, Stress echo is indicated for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease severety, when at rest we have some changes, but we are not sure. And CMR, cardiac MRI, is a very sensitive test to find out subtle changes in heart muscle, we usually order it if we suspect a cardiomyopathy, but may order it also to for evaluating ejection fraction and some other specific cases, such as myocarditis. They both may complete each other, when we are not sure with the diagnosis. Take care Come back if you have any further questions