NUCLEAR STRESS TESTING

Nuclear Stress Test uses radioactive substance called thallium injected into the bloodstream when patient is at maximum level of exercise to take pictures with a special camera of the heart's muscle cells.

Your doctor has ordered a nuclear stress test for you which is a method of evaluating the condition of your heart. A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart muscle both at rest and during stress. It's performed similarly to a routine exercise stress test, but provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and areas of damaged heart muscle. Nuclear Stress Test uses radioactive substance called thallium injected into the bloodstream when patient is at maximum level of exercise to take pictures with a special camera of the heart's muscle cells.

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.
You will have a set of wires attached to your chest so that a continuous EKG can be performed while you are walking on the treadmill. Your EKG, blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored by a technologist while you are exercising. You will be injected once more with the imaging isotope once your heart rate reaches the required level, which is based on your age.
After you are done exercising, you will wait 30-60 minutes before having the last set of pictures taken. This will take about 15 minutes.

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.