Stress echocardiogram · Singapore
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to show the heart's chambers, valves and pumping action. We offer the stress echocardiogram at Wheelock Place; availability varies, so please ask when you book.
An ultrasound of your heart that shows it pumping in real time.
An echocardiogram, or 'echo', is an ultrasound scan of the heart. A probe on the chest sends sound waves that bounce off the heart, creating moving images of its chambers, walls and valves. It shows how well the heart pumps and how the valves open and close, without radiation.
At Fusion Medical we offer the stress echocardiogram, alongside resting and treadmill ECGs, X-ray and ultrasound on site. Both Fusion Opal packages include one, subject to availability. We don't offer a resting echocardiogram; if you need one, your doctor can refer you.
An ECG records the heart's electrical activity; an echocardiogram shows its structure and movement. The two answer different questions, so your doctor may use them together. An echo does not show the coronary arteries themselves; a stress echo looks for their effect on the heart muscle during exercise.
What it looks at
An echo shows the size of the heart's chambers, the thickness and movement of the heart walls, how the valves open and close, and how strongly the heart pumps. Doppler ultrasound adds the direction and speed of blood flow, which helps to show leaking or narrowed valves.
What the images show
A stress echo starts with images at rest. You lie on your left side while a probe is moved over gel on your chest, and images of the chambers, walls and valves are taken from several positions. They can show:
Stress echocardiogram
Images are taken at rest and again straight after exercise on a treadmill. If part of the heart muscle does not move as well when the heart is working hard, it can suggest reduced blood supply from narrowed coronary arteries. Both Fusion Opal packages include a stress echocardiogram. Availability varies, so please ask when you book.
Echo, ECG and treadmill test
A resting ECG records the heart's electrical activity; a treadmill ECG follows that activity during exercise; an echocardiogram shows the heart's structure and movement. Your doctor chooses the combination that answers your question.
Who it's for
An echo is usually advised for a reason, such as a heart murmur, breathlessness, ankle swelling, palpitations, long-standing high blood pressure or an abnormal ECG, or as part of a comprehensive screening or insurance medical. We offer the stress echo; if you need a resting echo, your doctor can refer you.
Chest pain or severe breathlessness now? Call 995.
An echo shows whether the valves and heart muscle look and move normally.
An echo can show how well the heart pumps, after your doctor has assessed you.
The Fusion Opal packages, for women and for men, include a stress echocardiogram among five diagnostic tests.
Treadmill, X-ray and ultrasound tests are under one roof for insurance medicals; a stress echo is subject to availability.
High blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol? The Liver & Cardiovascular package includes resting and treadmill ECGs.
Your echo, step by step
Book a screening consultation and ask about a stress echocardiogram. Availability varies, so our team confirms when one is available and how to prepare.
Wear a two-piece outfit, bring exercise clothes and shoes, and follow your doctor's advice about your medicines.
You lie on your left side while images are taken at rest. You then walk on the treadmill, and the images are repeated straight afterwards.
The echo is reported, and your doctor explains it with your ECG and other results, and arranges a specialist referral if needed.
Safety & expectations
An echocardiogram shows how your heart is built and how it moves. It is one part of a heart assessment, read together with your ECG and symptoms.
Tell us about your medicines, any heart condition and previous heart tests, and bring earlier reports. If you have chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness, seek urgent care rather than waiting for a scheduled test.
Fusion Medical offers the stress echocardiogram at Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road. It is part of both Fusion Opal health screening packages. Availability varies, so please ask when you book. We don't offer a resting echocardiogram; if you need one, our doctors can refer you and advise how it fits with your other heart tests.
An ECG records the heart's electrical activity, while an echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan that shows the heart's structure and how it pumps. An ECG uses stickers on the chest and takes a few minutes. An echo shows the chambers, walls and valves, how they move and how strongly the heart pumps. They answer different questions, so doctors often use both.
A stress echocardiogram compares ultrasound images of the heart at rest with images taken straight after exercise on a treadmill. When the heart works harder, areas with reduced blood supply may not move as well, which can point to narrowed coronary arteries. It is included in both Fusion Opal packages; availability varies, so please ask when you book.
For a stress echo, have only a light meal beforehand, bring exercise clothes and walking shoes, and wear a two-piece outfit, as you will undress to the waist. Tell us about any heart or blood pressure medicines, such as beta-blockers, and follow your doctor's advice about them; don't stop any medicine on your own.
An echocardiogram is not usually painful. Gel is applied to your chest and a probe is moved over it, sometimes pressing firmly to get clear pictures, and small stickers may be placed on your chest to track your heart rhythm. A stress echo involves exercising on a treadmill, which is stopped if you feel unwell.
A stress echocardiogram usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, excluding waiting time, according to the National Heart Centre Singapore, because images are taken at rest and again straight after exercise. If the echo is part of a screening package, set aside more time for the whole visit, which also includes blood tests and your consultation.
An echocardiogram can show problems with the heart valves, such as leaking or narrowing, weakened or thickened heart muscle, an enlarged heart, fluid around the heart and some heart conditions present from birth. It does not show the coronary arteries directly; a stress echo looks for their effect on the heart muscle during exercise.
The echo scan itself uses ultrasound rather than X-rays, so it involves no radiation and has no known harmful effects. A stress echo adds exercise on a treadmill, which carries a small risk for people with heart disease, so you are monitored throughout and the test stops if you feel unwell. Tell us about any heart symptoms or conditions before the test.
Doctor-led care
Appointments
Book a screening consultation at Wheelock Place. Our doctors will advise whether a stress echo, ECG or treadmill test suits you, and our team confirms when a stress echo is available.
