A stress echocardiogram assesses heart function during physical or pharmacological stress to detect coronary artery disease and exercise-induced cardiac changes.
Stress echocardiography is not currently offered at Sonoworld. This service requires a consultant cardiologist and specialist equipment. We offer a comprehensive standard transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) at £350, which assesses cardiac structure and function at rest. If you require a stress echo, please speak with your GP or cardiologist for a referral to a specialist cardiac centre.
A stress echocardiogram combines standard cardiac ultrasound with a controlled stress test — either physical exercise (treadmill or bicycle) or pharmacological stimulation using dobutamine — to evaluate how the heart responds under increased demand. It is primarily used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD), assess the significance of known coronary stenoses, and evaluate exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities that are not visible at rest.
The examination requires a consultant cardiologist to supervise the stress protocol and interpret the real-time images, making it a more complex and resource-intensive investigation than a resting echocardiogram. It is typically performed in a specialist cardiac imaging unit with full resuscitation facilities.
A comprehensive resting transthoracic echo assessing heart valves, chambers, wall motion, ejection fraction, and Doppler flow. Suitable for most cardiac referrals.
View & Book — £350Assessment of carotid artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque — relevant for patients with cardiovascular risk factors or TIA history.
View & Book — £235Combines echocardiogram, carotid Doppler, and aortic aneurysm screening in a single appointment — ideal for proactive cardiovascular health assessment.
View & Book — £595Stress echocardiography requires a consultant cardiologist to supervise the stress protocol, specialist exercise equipment or pharmacological agents (dobutamine), and full resuscitation facilities on site. Sonoworld is a diagnostic ultrasound clinic and does not currently have the infrastructure to offer this safely. We are committed to offering only services we can deliver to the highest clinical standard.
A resting echocardiogram (TTE) assesses cardiac structure and function at rest — valves, chambers, wall motion, ejection fraction, and Doppler flows. A stress echo adds a controlled increase in heart rate (via exercise or dobutamine) to reveal ischaemia or wall motion abnormalities that only appear under cardiac demand. The resting echo is appropriate for most diagnostic referrals; the stress echo is specifically indicated when coronary artery disease is suspected.
Stress echocardiography is available at major NHS cardiac centres and private hospitals including the London Bridge Hospital, The Wellington Hospital, and The Heart Hospital (UCLH). Your GP or cardiologist can provide a referral. If you have private health insurance, your insurer can direct you to an approved cardiac imaging centre.
A resting echocardiogram can detect wall motion abnormalities caused by previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) and assess overall cardiac function. However, it cannot directly visualise the coronary arteries or reliably detect ischaemia that only occurs during exertion. For suspected coronary artery disease, a stress echo, CT coronary angiography, or myocardial perfusion scan is more appropriate.
A standard transthoracic echocardiogram at Sonoworld is appropriate for most cardiac referrals including assessment of heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, congenital heart disease, and pre-operative cardiac assessment. If your referral specifically requests a stress echo, please discuss with your referring clinician whether a resting echo would be sufficient for your clinical needs.
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