Your physician has ordered a cardiac nuclear exercise stress test. This test is performed for many reasons. It is done to identify the cause of chest pain or chest discomfort which can occur with blockages in blood flow to the heart, to monitor heart function in people with known heart disease, and to determine the response to medications or after angioplasty or bypass surgery. The nuclear stress test also involves taking pictures, also known as images, of your heart. A radioactive substance, known as a tracer, is injected into a vein in your arm and travels in the bloodstream to the heart. Areas of the heart receiving adequate blood flow pick up the traces more completely. When combined with exercise, the pictures can detect areas of the heart that are not receiving enough blood flow. This enables your physicians to determine your heart’s response to exercise. The results assist the physician in managing your cardiac condition.
A 24-HOUR NOTICE OF CANCELLATION IS REQUIRED. THE RADIOACTIVE TRACER MATERIAL FOR YOUR TEST IS ORDERED IN ADVANCE AND IS DELIVERED DAILY. IT IS NOT REUSABLE. YOU MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE MATERIAL IF YOU FAIL TO CANCEL.
How do I prepare for a nuclear stress test?
Do not eat for 2 hours prior to your test.
Withhold all caffeinated beverages, decaffeinated coffee, colas, teas, and chocolate for at least 12 hours (preferably 24 hours) prior to your test.
Do not smoke or use any form of nicotine for at least12 hours (preferably 24 hours) prior to your test.
Take your medications on the day of the test unless otherwise instructed.
Do not apply lotions or powders to the chest.
Avoid heavy activity on day of the test.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and walking shoes; ladies may want to wear a front-buttoning, short sleeve shirt.
What happens during the stress test?
Rest portion.
You will be given an explanation of the test and asked to sign a consent form.
A registered nuclear medicine technologist inserts an intravenous catheter into your hand or arm.
A small amount of a tracer is injected through the intravenous catheter.
You lie flat on a special table under a large scanning camera.
The camera takes pictures, called images, of your heart from several angles.
Exercise Portion
Electrodes are placed on your chest and connected by wires to the ECG machine, which permits continuous monitoring of your heart rhythm.
A nurse or exercise physiologist supervises the exercise portion of the test.
You will be shown how to use the treadmill or bicycle.
Treadmill starts slowly at first and gradually increases in speed and incline. A bicycle stress test may feel easy to pedal at first and then gets gradually harder.
Your blood pressure is checked frequently, and your ECG is continually monitored.
When you reach the point that you do not feel that you can exercise much longer, a second tracer is injected into the intravenous catheter.
You will be asked to continue to exercise for another minute.
Report any symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Exercise as long as you can since that increases the accuracy of the test.
When the exercise portion is completed, your blood pressure and ECG will be monitored for several more minutes.
You lie under the camera for a second set of images.
Please allow 2 – 2 ½ hours for the entire test to be completed
When will I know the results of the stress test?
Final interpretation of the test results is completed by a cardiologist with a specialty in nuclear medicine.
The physician ordering your test and family doctor will receive a report within 3 days.