Nuclear Stress Test

NUCLEAR STRESS TEST

A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to the heart muscle both at rest and when the heart is
under stress, or while exercising. Though it is similar to a routine exercise stress test, it also
provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and areas of damaged
heart muscle.

If unable to exercise on a treadmill or if requested by your physician for specific circumstances, a
nuclear stress test can also be provided using a pharmacological form of stress that does not
require any physical exertion such as Lexiscan or Adenosine.

Preparing for the test:

• You can drink water, but do not eat anything 4 hours prior to the test
• Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes
• Do not wear any shirts with metallic ornaments
• Do not put on any lotions on the day of the test
• Do not consume any caffeine or decaffeinated beverages for 24 hours before your stress test. Items with caffeine include sodas, ‘caffeine free’ sodas, coffee, decaf coffee, tea, decaf tea, chocolate, Excedrin, and certain cold or diet pills

• If you are diabetic, hold your medication
• Bring a snack and drink, if you desire
• Take all medications except for beta blockers and diabetic medications. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding your medication

During the test:

• A small intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in a vein in your arm. The IV will allow us to inject Cardiolite or a similar radioactive isotope, into the bloodstream, during the rest part of the exam
• Approximately 30 minutes to an hour later, we will take pictures of the resting blood flow to your heart using a nuclear camera
• At peak exercise, we will inject Cardiolite into your bloodstream through the IV. You will walk for 1 minute after the injection. The amount of Cardiolite taken up by the heart muscle is in proportion to the blood flow to it through the coronary arteries. After exercise, we will use the nuclear camera to take pictures of the blood flow to your heart

• The stress portion will be performed next. We will place electrodes on your chest to record your blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG
• You will be asked to perform a “graded” exercise test on a treadmill. The first stage of the test will begin with the treadmill at a slow speed and a little uphill inclination. Every three minutes the treadmill increases in speed and elevation. The physician or technician may stop the test at any time for medical reasons or you may stop the test because of significant fatigue or discomfort. In general, however, we encourage you to exercise as long as possible in order to maximally stress the blood flow to your heart