Recent stress test

[rlklein810]

Hi, I recently was admitted into the ER for shortness of breath, swelling and heart palps.  The ran blood work, did a chest x-ray, did an EKG and a Stress test with the treadmill.  All came out normal however all symptoms are still there.  My doctor spoke with a friend/cardiologist who wants to see me and do a Echo.  My question is, wasn't all that enough checking for the heart?  Would would an Echo tell that all the other testing didn't?  and...would there be anything else they could have missed??  Thanks so much....Rhonda

[CCFHeartMD11]

An echo looks at the structure and function of the heart, whereas the stress test was looking for blockages causing your symptoms. Having a leaky valve can predispose to certain abnormal heart rhythms which may have caused your palpitations, weak heart muscle (AKA heart failure) can cause leg swelling and shortness of breath -- neither of these things are detectable with a treadmill stress test unless there was an echo done at the same time.

[rlklein810]

Thank you very much.  I feel better knowing its worth it to check out.