DSE

A dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) may be used if you are unable to exercise. Dobutamine is put in a vein and causes the heart to beat faster. It mimics the effects of exercise on the heart.

Certain factors or conditions may interfere with a DSE such as:

• Smoking or using any other form of tobacco within 3 hours of the test
• Ingesting caffeine within 3 hours of the test
• Taking beta-blocking medicines – these may make it hard to increase the heart rate to an appropriate level.