Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography
Because not all patients are able to exercise, Portage Health now offers the dobutamine stress echocardiography test as an alternative to other echo stress tests.
This test is possible because of the drug dobutamine, which is a compound that will augment heart rate, therefore increasing oxygen requirement.
This test requires a physician’s referral.
This test takes approximately two hours to complete. Exercise time is approximately three to 10 minutes.
Preparing for this procedure
- No solid food, milk products, chocolate, coffee, tea or pop after midnight prior to your test (you may have sips of water).
- Mention what medicines you take. Ask if you should take any before the test.
- Make sure to wear a two-piece outfit, you may need to undress from the waist up and wear a hospital gown.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this test, please call Portage Health's Cardiopulmonary Department at (906) 483-1458 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.