Nuclear Medicine Department
(910) 341-3312 or (910) 341-3456
Your health care provider has recommended you have an Exercise Stress Test. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment and allow 45 minutes to complete the test. You will NOT need a driver.
What is an Exercise Stress Test?
An exercise (treadmill) stress test is used to assess how the heart responds to physical activity. It helps doctors detect heart conditions, such as abnormal heart rhythms or coronary artery disease, that may not be apparent during rest. During the test, you will walk and/or jog on a treadmill while your heart’s electrical activity and blood pressure are monitored.
How do I prepare for the test?
A nuclear RN staff member will call you 2-3 days prior to your test to review these instructions.
- NO FOOD OR DRINK: Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your test time. You may have sips of water only to take any needed medications.
- NO CAFFEINE FOR 12 HOURS PRIOR TO TEST TIME: This includes sodas, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Many prescriptions and over-the-counter headache remedies, such as BC powder, Excedrin, Fiorinal, Wigraine, and Anacin, contain caffeine and should be avoided. Also, be mindful that many “decaffeinated” teas, sodas, and coffee do contain a small amount of caffeine. The only true caffeine-free sodas are Sierra Mist Free, Sprite, 7up, and ginger ale.
- WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear loose-fitting, short-sleeved shirt/top, comfortable walking shoes with laces, and shorts or pants, no dresses. Please do not wear jewelry. Ladies- a wireless bra may be more comfortable, as electrodes will be placed on your bare chest.
- MEDICATIONS: We prefer that you take your regular medicines except for the following:
- Beta Blockers: Beta blockers are a type of heart medication used to treat high blood pressure, fast heart rates, and other heart conditions. Examples include: Toprol, Metoprolol, Coreg, Inderal, Lopressor, Tenormin, Atenolol, Propranolol, Labatalol/of, Sotalol/, Betapace, Corgard, Timolol, Carvedilol, Acebutolol, and Bystolic. We ask that you stop these medications 48 hours prior to your test time because they can prevent your heart from reaching the target heart rate while on the treadmill. Failure to do so may result in rescheduling your test.
- Diabetic Medicines: Diabetics should delay their AM dose of their diabetic medications but can bring their medicine with them. A light snack will be provided during your stress test, and the diabetic medicines can be taken at that time.
What happens on the day of my Exercise Stress Test?
Please report to the 3rd floor reception area at Wilmington Health, 1202 Medical Center Dr. Once you have been checked in, you will be taken to the stress room, where a nuclear med staff member will explain the procedure and have you sign a consent form. You will lay on a stretcher, where a heart monitor and blood pressure cuff will then be attached to you, so you can be monitored during exercise. You will then walk on the treadmill following a protocol, where it gradually increases in speed and incline every 3 minutes until your target heart rate is achieved. Times on the treadmill vary from patient to patient based on exercise tolerance. Once completed, you will then return to the stretcher where you will continue to be monitored for several minutes. A cardiologist will then review and evaluate the electrical cardiac tracings to look for significant changes or findings. The health care provider that ordered your test will be notified by the cardiologist of the results within 5-7 business days and advised of any follow-up care that may be required.