Why do I need a stress
test?
This test helps your physician determine how your heart functions when it is made to work
harder by injecting dobutamine. Dobutamine is a drug that has an effect on the heart similar
to exercise. This test is done on patients that are unable to exercise adequately or have
severe lung disease. An echocardiogram, the ultrasound study of the heart, evaluates the
heart’s size, how strongly it pumps blood, and how well the valves are working.
DSE is particularly useful for patients with known or suspected CAD, those with physical
limitations preventing exercise, or those who require additional diagnostic information
beyond standard stress testing. It is a safe and effective tool for assessing cardiovascular
health and guiding treatment decisions in patients with coronary artery disease.