Preparing for the Test

Do not eat or drink (except water) for 4 hours prior to the test. This will help prevent the possibility of nausea, which may accompany vigorous exercise after eating. Drinking plenty of water is okay.

If you are currently taking any heart medications, check with your doctor. He or she may ask you to stop certain medications a day or two before the test.  If you are using inhalers for asthma or emphysema please bring them with you.  If you have any questions regarding your medications please call our office.

Before the test, you'll be given a brief explanation of the procedure and you'll be asked to sign a consent form. Feel free to ask any questions prior to signing the consent.

Wear loose and comfortable clothing that is suitable for exercise, preferably a shirt or blouse that opens in the front. Also wear comfortable flat walking shoes or sneakers, no sandals or flip flops.

Several electrodes (small sticky patches) will be placed on your chest to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a recording of your heart's electrical activity. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into a vein in your arm, to allow injection of the tracer during exercise.

What Happens During the Test?

The nuclear scan is usually performed at a hospital, office, or test center. For one-day nuclear tests the rest portion is done first, then the exercise portion. In two-day nuclear tests the rest portion is done one day and the exercise portion is done another day.

Rest Portion

The tracer will be injected and a set of pictures will be taken, while you are at rest. You will lie flat on a special table under a large scanning camera. During imaging, the camera takes pictures of your heart at various angles. Remain still while the pictures are being taken. This part of the test may take twenty (20) minutes. These images are compared to the images obtained during the exercise portion of the test.

Exercise Portion

You will walk on a treadmill. The treadmill moves slowly at first, then the speed and incline increase gradually.

If walking on the treadmill is not possible you will receive an injection of a vasodilator for four (4) minutes of either adenosine or persantine. During infusion with adenosine or persantine you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, etc. These symptoms are transient and can be reversed within two (2) minutes with another medication.

Be sure to report any symptoms, such as chest pain or discomfort, dizziness, or severe shortness of breath. Try to exercise for as long as you are able to, because it increases the accuracy of the test.

Patient wears electrodes
and walks the treadmill

When you reach the point where you feel you can't exercise for much longer, let the technician know. The technician will inject the tracer into the intravenous line. You will then be asked to continue exercising for another minute or so after the injection.

Another set of pictures will be taken. These images will be compared to the images obtained during the rest portion of the test.

How Long Does The Test Take?

For this test allow four to five (4-5) hours for the entire test, which includes preparation, the exercise portion, imaging waiting time.

Is the Test Safe?

The radiation exposure during a nuclear scan is small, and the doses used are safe. However, if you are pregnant, suspect you may be, or are a nursing mother, be sure to let the doctor and nuclear technician know. The exercise test is also safe. A small amount of risk does exist, however, because it stresses the heart. Possible complications include abnormal heart rhythms and chest pain. Experienced personnel are available to handle any emergency.

Your Test Results

Your doctor will discuss the test results with you during a future office visit. The test results help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that's best for you.

ATTENTION: THIS IS THE PREPARATION FOR THE NUCLEAR STRESS TEST

Please read this instruction carefully:

You must fast (nothing to eat or drink except water) for four (4) hours prior to the test on the 1-day test.  You are encouraged to drink as much water as you can.

CAFFEINE and NICOTINE are NOT allowed for twelve (12) hours prior to the test.

Wear comfortable clothing, such as loose fitting pants, T-shirts, etc. Your shirt must have NO METAL BUTTONS. Metal buttons interfere with the images and may result in an inaccurate test. Also wear tennis shoes or sneakers. DO NOT WEAR BOOTS, HIGH HEELED SHOES, SANDALS or FLIP FLOPS.