Echocardiogram: How To Prepare

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How To Prepare

Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and Doppler echocardiogram

You do not need any special preparation for a transthoracic or Doppler echocardiogram.

Stress echocardiogram

Do not eat heavily for a few hours before a stress echo. This will help prevent nausea, which can occur while exercising with a full stomach or from the injection of dobutamine.

Wear flat, comfortable shoes (no bedroom slippers or sandals) and loose, lightweight shorts or sweatpants for an exercise stress echo.

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before the TEE.

If you have dentures or dental prostheses, you may need to remove them before the test.

Before TEE, you will be given a sedative. You will not be able to drive for at least 12 hours after the procedure. Be sure to make arrangements in advance for someone to pick you up after the test.

Before an echocardiogram, you will typically be asked to sign a consent form. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?) .

Last updated:	December 24, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Michele Cronen