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Nuclear Medicine Stress Test

Nuclear Stress Tests is an imaging test that provides information about the circulation and function of your heart. It uses a uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer or radiotracer, given by IV. The "stress" component can come from actual exercise that you do during the test, through a special medication, or both. The imaging machine takes pictures of your heart while under stress to look at the blood flow to the heart, determine the amount of damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack, detect possible causes of chest pain (angina) and check the health of your arteries.

Preparation

  • Nothing to eat or drink (besides water) the morning of the test. Afternoon patients may have a small breakfast before 8 a.m. the day of the test.
  • 24 hours prior: No smoking, caffeinated beverages (Soda, Coffee, Tea, anything labeled decaffeinated) or chocolate.
  • Please bring your current insurance card(s) and a current list of your medications.
  • Wear loose fitting pants, a button-down shirt (no metal buttons), and sneakers.
  • Please bring with you but DO NOT TAKE the following medications 24 hours prior to testing: Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Nitrates, and Theophylline. Specific medications in these categories are listed below. *Please consult your physician with any questions on medications.
    • Blockers: Acebutolol (Sectral), Atenolol (Tenormin), Bisoprolol (Zebeta), Carvediol (Coreg), Labetalol (Trandate), Metoprolol (Lopressor and Toprol-XL), Nadolol (Corgard), Nebivolol (Bystolic), Propranolol (Inderal LA and InnoPran XL), Sotalol (Betapac, and Timolol (Timoptic).
    • Calcium Channel Blockers: Diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), Verapamil (Calan), and Adalate.
    • Nitrates: Nitroglycerin, Nitro patch, Isosorbide (Imdur), Nitro-Bid, and Nitro-Dur.
  • Viagra or Cialas should not be taken 24 hours prior to your Nuclear Stress Test.
  • Any medications that are Dipyripdamole (Persantine), Regadenson (Lexiscan), Dobutimine, or Adenosine based should not be taken at least 36-48 hours prior to your Nuclear Stress Test. Please check with your pharmacist or physician.
  • If you have a history of Asthma, COPD, Pulmonary Hypertension, Systematic Hypotension, or you have had a prior reaction / sensitivity to Dipyridamole, Regadenson (Lexiscan), Dobutimine, or Adenosine, please advise your ordering physician.

Time

Approximately 4 hours

Procedure

  1. An IV will be started in your arm and the first nuclear injection will be given. This medication is safe, there are no side-effects and does not change how your heart functions.
  2. You will return to the waiting room for approximately 1 hour while the medication travels through your body and concentrates in your heart
  3. You go to the camera room to begin the test where you will lie under the camera for approximately 20 minutes to take images of your heart.
  4. You will move to the stress test room. Time will vary for this test based on the type of test performed.
  5. You will return to the waiting room for approximately 1 hour. During this time you can eat and take any medications needed.
  6. You will return to the camera room for final pictures for approximately 20-45 minutes, depending on location. When all testing is complete, the IV will be removed.

For questions about your test or directions specific to your testing location, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department.

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