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Cardiac Stress Testing Instructions: English
Where:
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Report directly to the Imagingdicine Department on the first floor of where both registration and testing are done. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration. |
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Purpose:
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A cardiac stress test is performed to give your doctor more accurate information about how your heart is functioning. Your heart receives life-giving blood from vessels called coronary arteries. If these arteries become partially blocked or narrowed by the buildup of fatty materials, your heart may not receive the blood it needs to function properly. While your heart may function normally at rest, your heart muscle may not receive enough blood when under stress (for example, when you are exercising). This often results in chest pain. On the other hand, there may be no outward physical signs of heart disease. This test may be useful in detecting the coronary artery disease (CAD) and assessing how this may affect you. With this information, your doctor can determine the proper course of treatment to keep you healthy. |
Preparation:
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If you are a woman of childbearing age and there is a chance you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding, please consult your physician before scheduling this exam.
Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours before this test. Do not eat or drink products containing caffeine 24 hours before the test. This includes coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
Discuss your medication with your doctor. Some medications can be taken prior to your test; however, others such as some diuretics, long acting nitrates, beta blockers, methylxanthine-containing medications, and calcium channel blocking drugs that may alter the heart rate and blood pressure response to exercise be withheld on the day of the test.
Dress casually in a separate top and bottom, such as a shirt, slacks, and comfortable walking shoes. Do not wear a dress or other one-piece outfit.
Please do not bring children with you to the appointment. |
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What to Expect:
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This test takes from one to four hours.
Your doctor may or may not request that a picture be taken of your heart before the exercise portion of the test. If he does, an IV line will be placed in your arm at this time, a drug will be injected, and a special camera that can detect radiation will take pictures of your heart. The camera will be placed close to your chest while you are lying flat on the table. During the test, the camera will take pictures at various angles. It will take 15-30 minutes to complete this part of your exam. It is important that you remain very still while the pictures are being taken. The drug used for the pictures contains a small amount of radioactivity. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is similar to that from routine x-ray procedures such as an Upper GI exam or a CT exam.
Your heart will then be “stressed” either by exercise or medication to determine how your heart functions. Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest. These pads will be connected to an ECG monitor so that your heart rhythm can be watched closely throughout the stress portion of the test.
Your heart can be stressed in two different ways:
- If you are able to walk briskly on a treadmill, you will begin by walking very slowly at first, and then gradually get harder. As you exercise longer and harder, your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored along with your ECG. Expect to exercise to your maximum ability, which may take 10 minutes or more. To increase the effectiveness of the test, it is important to exercise as long as you are able.
- If you are unable to exercise for the test, an IV line will be placed in your arm and a drug will be injected. This drug will produce the same effects of exercise and will increase the blood flow to your heart.
If your doctor requests that pictures be taken of your heart following exercise or stress, a drug will be injected into your IV line. The IV line then can be removed. At this time, you can leave the Nuclear Medicine Department for a while. You may eat and drink as normal during this time.
About 1-2 hours later, as instructed, you should return to the Nuclear Medicine Department and a special camera that can detect radiation will take pictures of your heart. The camera will be placed close to your chest while you are lying flat on the table. During the test, the camera will take pictures at various angles. It will take 15-30 minutes to complete this part of your exam. It is important that you remain very still while the pictures are being taken. As noted previously, the drug used for the pictures contains a small amount of radioactivity. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is similar to that from routine x-ray procedures such as an Upper GI exam or a CT exam. |
After Care:
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After your test you may resume your normal activities. Your doctor will discuss the results of the cardiac stress test with you. |
| Questions: |
Please call 205-930-3278 if you have additional questions. |
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