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 A
pharmacologic nuclear stress test is performed to evaluate the circulation of
blood to the heart. The exam is performed over a two day
period. Day one consists of an injection of a nuclear
isotope to observe how the circulation is at rest. After the
injection there will be a wait prior to pictures under the nuclear
camera. During this time it is necessary for you to eat so
bring some food with you. Day two
involves an injection of a medicine to mimic exercise conditions
on the heart, usually Persantine® or dobutamine. This is
followed by another injection of the isotope. The test
is performed and monitored by a
medical professional who is looking for any abnormalities that
suggest the presence of heart disease. The test is
used to detect certain abnormalities, to monitor patients with
known heart disease and to check the effectiveness of treatment or
surgery.
The isotope is radioactive. Side
effects or reactions resulting from the administration of the
isotope are extremely rare. The isotope is injected into the
bloodstream and absorbed by healthy heart muscle. Damaged
heart muscle or poor circulation to the muscle will affect the
distribution of the isotope in the heart.
A cardiac nurse will prepare you for your
stress test. An intravenous will be placed for the medicine
and isotope..
Electrode
patches will be placed on your chest. You will have a
baseline EKG done and your blood pressure will be
checked. Any questions that you have will be
answered.
The
administration of the medicine and observation takes about 20
minutes. Your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will be
monitored throughout. It is
important that you report any chest pain, chest pressure,
shortness of breath, pain in your arms or neck, tiredness or any
other discomfort you may feel while performing the test.
The
nuclear medicine technologist will administer the isotope into the
IV. You will be informed when the isotope is being
administered. You may receive a reversal agent to counteract the
medication and the test may be terminated at any time.
Once the
medicines have been administered, images will be again taken of your heart. You
will have a wait before the pictures and you will need to
eat at this time.
Upon
completion of the study, a cardiologist will interpret the
results. A report will be forwarded to your cardiologist and
primary care physician. Unless otherwise instructed, you
should make an appointment with your cardiologist or physician to
discuss the results of the test.
The test may cause (in some people): skipped heart beats,
chest pain, in very rare instances; a heart attack, in extremely
rare instances; death. These occurrences are extremely
rare. Every effort is made to avoid or minimize these occurrences.
Personnel and equipment are readily available if such an event
should occur.
MEDICATIONS
-Your physician
will instruct you as to which medication(s) need to be stopped and
for
how long.
-Certain drugs on
the day of the test may interfere with the results.
-Do not take
Cialis, Levitra or Viagra 48 hours prior to the stress portion of
the test.
-Do not take
Persantine 48 hour prior to the stress portion of the test.
-Do not take
Theophylline, Slobid, Uniphyl or Theodur 72 hours prior to the
stress
portion of your test.
PREPARATION
- Do not consume any caffeine 24 hours
prior to the test.
For
a list of products containing caffeine click here.
- Nothing to eat, drink, or smoke 4 hours
prior to your test.
-
Wear comfortable clothes (sweat suit, shorts, loose fitting slacks
or shirt).
-
Wear comfortable shoes (sneaker or good walking shoes).
-
Bathe or shower prior to undergoing the test as the skin needs to
be free of oils
where the electrode patches are placed for the
EKG.
-
Do not use bath or body oil, lotion or powder. (Deodorant is
allowed).
-
Please bring a list of all the medications that you currently
take, including dosage(s)
and how often you take them.
-
The resting portion of the test takes 1.5 to 2 hours to
complete. The stress portion
can take 2.5 to 3 hours to complete.
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