You can stop the test anytime you’re too uncomfortable to continue. You and your doctor will discuss your safe limits for exercise.Certain changes in your electrocardiogram.You will continue exercising until either your heart rate has reached a set target, you develop symptoms that don’t allow you to continue, or you develop one of the following symptoms:.Don’t hang on tightly, as this may skew the results. You can use the railing on the treadmill for balance. You will start slowly, and the exercise gets more difficult as the test progresses.

You might get a headache.įor an exercise stress test, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. Possible side effects may be similar to those caused by exercise, such as flushing or shortness of breath.

If you can’t exercise, your doctor will inject the drug into your IV line that mimics exercise by increasing blood flow to your heart.

You may be asked to breathe into a tube during the test to show how well you are able to breathe during exercise. A cuff on your arm checks your blood pressure during the test. The electrodes have wires connected to an electrocardiogram machine, which records the electrical signals that trigger your heartbeats. Some areas may need to be shaved to help them stick.

A nurse or technician will place electrodes on your chest, legs, and arms.

Then, you’ll lie still on a table and have your first set of images taken while your heart is at rest. It takes about 20 to 40 minutes for your heart cells to absorb the radiotracer.

The radiotracer may feel cold when it’s first injected into your arm.

Before you start the test, a technician inserts an intravenous (IV) line into your arm and injects a radioactive dye (radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer).

Your doctor will also listen to your heart and lungs for any abnormalities that might affect your test results. This helps determine the amount of exercise that’s appropriate for you during the test.

Your doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and how often and strenuously you exercise.

A nuclear stress test can take two or more hours, depending on the radioactive material and imaging tests used. If you aren’t able to exercise, you’ll receive a drug through an IV that mimics exercise by increasing blood flow to your heart. Do not apply creams, lotions, or perfumes the day of the test.Ī nuclear stress test may be performed in combination with an exercise stress test, in which you walk on a treadmill.Wear comfortable clothes and walking or running shoes.Make sure the staff monitoring you know you use an inhaler. If you use an inhaler for asthma, bring it with you to the test.Talk to your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, including over the counter, to determine whether any of them will interfere with the outcome of the test.Do not consume caffeine the day before or day of the test.Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink for a period of time prior to the test.It may also determine how much exercise your heart can handle. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition to find out how well your treatment is working. A nuclear stress test can help determine if you have coronary artery disease and how severe the condition is. The Nuclear Medicine unit of the Radiology Department will provide Nuclear Cardiac Stress tests for those patients who cannot walk on a treadmill.Ī nuclear stress test may be necessary if a routine stress test did not discover the cause of your chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test can help better determine your risk of a heart attack or other cardiac event if your doctor knows or suspects that you have coronary artery disease. First, a radioactive dye is injected, then two sets of images are taken of your heart one set during rest and the other during exertion. The test measures blood flow while you are at rest and are exerting yourself, showing any areas with damage or low blood flow. A nuclear stress test uses radioactive dye and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart.

Heart stress test