What does a Dobutermine Stress Echo Rule out?

[NanaRose]

Dear Doctor, Six months ago, I had a Dobuterimine Stress Echo at a large teaching hospital. I had this because I was having intermittant chest pains/palpitations and was scheduled for knee surgery and the orthopod wanted to make sure I was fit for surgery. I was told by the three Cardio Doctors who were in the testing room that the test was good with very clear pictures.

I was cleared for surgery.

Recently, I saw on TV the symptoms of Congestive heart failure and Cardiomyopothy and my question is:

Does a Dobutermine Stress Echo rule these two heart disorders out since I do display some of these symptoms.

I thank you for any assistance you can furnish me in this matter.

Concerned 58 year old female.

[NanaRose]

Thank you both for responding to my post.

CC Doctor, the reason I posted to this site was because I did ask this question of the THI Cardiologist via e-mail to their office a month ago and never received a response.  I quess they were too busy to respond but you were not too busy to help me.
I thank you for this.

In the past few days, i have discovered that I have thyroid disease as the Antibodies are positive to both Hypo and Graves. My TSH is also elevated, meaning low thyroid.  

I also have allergy induced asthma/wheezing.  So, with all this going on also, this well may be a part of my symptoms.

God Bless you for your kindness and Happy Holidays.

LisaCarol

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Lisa,
A dobutamine stress echocardiogram has two functions.  The first is to evaluate for any signs of ischemia (heart artery blockages) and for this apparently you were fine.  The second is to look at the heart function and valve function.  Abnormalities in either heart pumping function or valve function can cause symptoms of heart failure.  However, there are many other things including lung problems, deconditioning and general medical problems that can also cause symptoms of heart failure.  I would ask your doctor about your heart's pumping function and valve function from the echo results.  If these are normal then other things must be considered to explain your symptoms.