PHARMACOLOGICAL NUCLEAR STRESS TESTING

Your doctor has ordered a pharmacological nuclear stress test for you which is a method of evaluating the condition of your heart. A pharmacological nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart muscle both at rest and during stress. It provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and areas of damaged heart muscle.

What to Expect

Expect to be at the office up to 3½ hours from start to finish.
You will have an IV started in your arm and you will be injected with an isotope. This allows pictures to be taken of your heart. PLEASE NOTE: the isotope is not a dye. It will not make you feel any differently.
After the injection you will wait 30-45 minutes before the first set of pictures are taken. These will take about 15 minutes.
After the first set of pictures, you will have a set of wires attached to your chest so that a continuous EKG can be performed while you are injected with a medication that can increase blood flow to your heart. Your EKG, blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored by a technologist during this time.
After the pharmacological and imaging agent injections you will wait 30-60 minutes before having the last set of pictures taken. Then once the pictures begin, it will take about 15 minutes.

***Please give 24 hour notice if you must reschedule. If you do not give 24 hour notice a $70 charge will be billed to your account.

Preparing for the Test

Wear comfortable clothing, preferably a short-sleeved shirt or blouse with NO metal on it (snaps, embellishments) and rubber-soled walking or exercise shoes. Do not wear dresses, skirts, sandals or high-heeled shoes.
Do not use any body lotion or oil the day of the test.
DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING CONTAINING CAFFEINE FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. This includes coffee, decaffeinated coffee, pop, decaffeinated pop, tea, decaffeinated tea, chocolate and Excedrin.
DO NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. You may have minimal water during this time.
TAKE ALL OF YOUR MEDICATIONS AS YOU NORMALLY WOULD.