A nuclear exercise stress test is used to check the blood flow to your heart. You may need this test to see if your body gets enough blood while you are active. During the test, you will exercise, and a small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected into your vein. The tracer is not a dye or contrast material. A special camera (gamma camera) detects the radiation released from the tracer and creates computer images of your heart.
Important information to prepare for your test
Please follow these instructions so we do not need to reschedule your test.
Information About Medicine
Do not stop taking any type of medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider.
48 hours before your test
- Stop taking these types of medicine: dipyridamole (Persantine, etc), theophylline (Theo-Dur, Norphyl, Quibron, etc.), Aggrenox.
24 hours before your test
- Do not take medicine that contains caffeine (Excederin, Anacin, diet pills, NoDoz, etc.). If you aren’t sure if something contains caffeine, read the label or ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
- Stop taking these types of medicine: Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, etc.), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, etc.), beta blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol/Coreg, atenolol, etc), nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur, Deponit, Minitran, nitro patch, etc.).
Day of your test
- Bring your medicine with you. This is in case there is a delay and you need to take your medicine.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
If you have diabetes
If you take insulin, ask the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes how much insulin you should take the day of the test. You may need to take half of your usual morning dose and eat a light meal 4 hours before the test. If you take pills to control your blood sugar, do not take them until after the test. Do not take your diabetes medicine and skip a meal before the test.
If you own a glucose monitor, bring it with you to check your blood sugar levels before and after your test. Tell us right away if you think your blood sugar is low. Plan to eat and take your medicine after your test.
Eating, Drinking and Other Information
24 hours before your test
- Do not drink or eat anything that contains caffeine or is labeled "decaffeinated" or "caffeine-free" (coffee and tea, cola; energy drinks, Mountain Dew, anything that contains chocolate).
Day of your test
- Do not eat or drink anything except water for 4 hours before your test.
- Do not smoke.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Do not bring valuables with you.
How long does the test take?
The appointment takes 2 to 3 hours. The exercise part of the test takes 8 to 12 minutes.
What happens during the test?
- The testing area is supervised by a doctor.
- The tracer will go into your vein through an IV. We will take images of your blood flow about 20 minutes after you get the tracer. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and you will lie with your arms above your head.
- You will be connected to an electrocardiograph (EKG) monitor. Small sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on your skin. The electrodes are connected to the monitor with wires. The EKG records your heart’s electrical activity.
- We will check your heart rate and blood pressure before, during and after the test.
- You will exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, and you will get a second dose of the tracer. The intensity of the exercise will gradually increase until you reach your target heart rate. If you do not reach the target rate, we will give you medicine through your IV to mimic the effect of exercise on your heart.
- We will watch the EKG monitor for any signs that the test should be stopped. Please tell us right away if you have chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort; or if you are short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or have any unusual symptoms during or after the test.
- It is normal to sweat, breathe faster than normal, and have a higher-than-normal blood pressure and heart rate during the test.
- It is normal to feel a little unsteady when you get off the treadmill.
- We will take another set of images 30 minutes after you exercise and compare them to the first set.
How do I get my test results?
- We will send the results to your healthcare provider, who will share them with you.
