Nuclear Stress Testing

WHAT IS A NUCLEAR STRESS TEST?

The purpose of your test is to determine if and/or where you have coronary artery disease. Using the latest technology, we can look non-invasively for blockages in the arteries that deliver blood to your heart muscle.

We do this by taking two pictures of your heart:

  • The first picture, your resting scan, depicts the blood flow to your heart muscle when you are at a relaxed state (REST).
  • The second picture depicts the blood flow to your heart muscle when your heart is working hard (STRESS). By comparing these rest and stress images our cardiologists can help determine if you have coronary artery disease.

If you complete an exercise stress test, your treadmill performance and ECG tracing also provide valuable information in making the diagnosis.

Please follow instructions carefully to avoid rescheduling.

72 Hours Before Your Test

If you are taking Aggrenox, stop this medicine three days before the exam.

24 Hours Before Your Test

  • NO CAFFEINE
  • NO coffee, including decaffeinated or tea/herbal tea of any kind
  • NO colas or soft drinks, including those labeled caffeine free
  • NO chocolate (candy, cakes, pies, cocoa, white chocolate, etc.)
  • NO Anacin, Excedrin, or other aspirin products containing caffeine
  • NO Persantine (Dipyridamole)
  • NO Theophylline
  • NO beta-blockers (metoprolol/toprol, carvedilol/coreg, atenolol, propranolol, labetalol), unless specifically told to continue these medications by your ordering provider or our staff

The Day of Your Test

  • DO NOT EAT OR DRINK 4 HOURS BEFORE YOUR TEST. (This includes gum and breath mints.)
  • DIABETIC MEDICATIONS should not be taken the morning of your test, but please bring your diabetic medicines with you. If you take Lantus (insulin glargine) in the evening, take half your usual dose the evening before the test.
  • NO water pills (diuretics) until after your test.
  • Bring your medications with you in their original containers.
  • Bring a high-fat snack to eat after the stress portion of the exam.
  • Bring your insurance cards with you.

Arrival Time

Report to the third floor of Wilmington Health, 1202 Medical Center Drive, Wilmington, NC. It is essential for you to be on time for your appointment. The radioactive pharmaceutical is specially ordered for your scan. If you are unable to keep your appointment, you must notify our office at least 24 hours in advance. New patients need to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out paper work.

Clothing

  • We recommend you wear a loose, two-piece outfit.
  • Please wear shoes suitable for exercise on our treadmill.
  • Please refrain from applying lotion or powder to your chest on test day.
  • Women: Please refrain from wearing an underwire bra on the day of your test.

Other Important Points to Remember

  • For best results, please follow ALL instructions carefully.
  • Allow at least 4 hours to complete exam; though it may only take 2-3.
  • Only patients will be allowed in the exam area.

EXERCISE Stress Test Procedure & Instructions

REST: When you arrive for your appointment, the first step will be to place an IV in a vein of your arm. You will then receive an injection of Myoview (Tetrofosmin). Myoview is a radioactive tracer that follows your blood flow and localizes in your heart muscle. There are no symptoms or side effects from this injection. We will let this tracer circulate for a short period, approximately 30 minutes. Then you will recline in front of our camera for your resting scan. This takes about 15 minutes.

STRESS: After your resting images, you will be set up for the stress portion of the exam. A saline flush will be attached to your IV, and EKG leads will be placed on your chest. You will exercise on the treadmill until your heart rate elevates to a sufficient level. At your peak exercise a second dose of Myoview will be administered through your IV. Your stress images will be taken after your treadmill completion. These again take approximately 15 minutes. You will not receive your test results the day of your test. Results will be faxed to the ordering provider within three business days.

LEXISCAN Stress Test Procedure & Instructions

REST: When you arrive for your appointment, the first step will be to place an IV in a vein of your arm. You will then receive an injection of Myoview (Tetrofosmin). Myoview is a radioactive tracer that follows your blood flow and localizes in your heart muscle. There are no symptoms or side effects from this injection. We will let this tracer circulate for a short period, approximately 30 minutes. Then you will recline in front of our camera for your resting scan. This takes about 15 minutes.

STRESS: You will not be walking on the treadmill. Instead of exercise, you will be given a drug called Lexiscan. Lexiscan does not truly stress the heart, but it dilates the heart’s arteries directly. This improves blood flow in all arteries, revealing blockages in arteries by their inability to dilate and improve blood flow to a section of heart muscle. Some side effects/symptoms can occur during the infusion of the medicine, and our technologist will go over these with you before beginning. The Lexiscan is given over 4 minutes, and the Myoview will be injected during this time. Any side effects/symptoms of the Lexiscan will subside very quickly when it is stopped at the end of your 4 minutes. Your stress images will be taken approximately 15 minutes after the Lexiscan infusion, and last for approximately 15 minutes. Again, a copy of your test results will be faxed to the ordering provider within three business days.

Radiation information

The radiation delivered from our radioactive tracers is minimized wherever possible. In absolute terms, the risk of the radiation is minimal and varies from patient to patient. In performing nuclear stress tests, your physicians have decided that the minimal risk of the radiation is more than offset by the benefit of diagnosing coronary artery disease (if present).

Questions? Give us a call at:

  • 910.341.3312
  • 910.341.3456
  • 910.815.6158