Exercise Stress Test with Nuclear Imaging

The test evaluates the blood flow to your heart and evaluates the heart’s response to exercise. After walking on a treadmill, a tracer (small amount of radioactive material) is given to you through a vein in your arm. A camera scans the tracer material as it flows through your heart. Areas of the heart muscle that have good blood flow pick up the tracer material quickly, while areas that have less blood flow do not.

The test will take approximately three to four hours.

Preparation

To ensure accurate test results, follow all instructions given by your doctor, including:

1. Do not eat, drink or use tobacco products for six (6) hours prior to the test. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor what you may eat before the test.
2. Do not eat or drink caffeine for 36 hours prior to the test. See the list on the back of this brochure for the most common foods and products that contain significant amounts of caffeine.
3. Bring a written list of the prescription and non-prescription medications you are currently taking. We’ve provided a space in this brochure to list them. Copy the names of each medication exactly as seen on the bottle or package. Include over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies.
4. Wear comfortable clothing, socks and walking shoes.
5. You may drive yourself and arrive unaccompanied for the test.

What happens during the test?

A cardiologist will be present to monitor your test. You will be asked to replace your shirt or blouse with a hospital gown. An intravenous (IV) will be started to administer the tracer material, and electrocardiogram (EKG) wires will be taped to areas of your chest to record your heart rate. The tracer material will be administered twice - once before exercise and once after exercise. The material will be followed by camera image scans each time. It is very important that you lie still duringeach of the scans.

After the initial camera image scan, you will begin walking at a slow pace on the treadmill’s level surface.

At intervals, the slope and speed of the treadmill will gradually increase, peak, and then decrease.

The second injection of the tracer material and camera image scans are done after exercise when a predetermined heart rate is reached, or you experience fatigue, discomfort, symptoms or significant changes in your EKG.

When the test Is complete

The cardiologist will study and interpret the images, and will report them to your doctor. You may go back to your normal diet and activities unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Test results

Your primary doctor’s office will be given the test results and contact you. If you do not hear from them within two (2) business days, please contact them directly.