Microsoft word - nuclear stress prep_formatted_010711.doc

NUCLEAR STRESS TEST Prep Instructions
**** If you are unable to keep this testing appointment, you MUST call to cancel. *****
Please report to Rockford Cardiovascular Associates at:
Your physician has ordered a nuclear stress test. This is a noninvasive method of detecting heart disease. It is used to
evaluate patients who have chest discomfort, to monitor heart function in patients with known heart disease, or to evaluate
the progress of patients who have had previous angioplasties or stents.
TEST PREPARATION

* DO NOT TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST:
Toprol XL, Lopressor, Metoprolol, Atenolol, Tenormin, Coreg, Carvedilol, Inderal or Propranolol.
* NO CAFFEINE 24 HOURS prior to testing. This includes: Coffee, pop/soda, chocolate, cold medications, etc. ANY
* Nothing to eat or drink 4 - 6 hours prior to your appointment time.
* Nitroglycerin patches must be taken off 1 hour before testing.
* Do not take any of your medications the morning of the test, but bring all morning medications with you as you will take
them after the stress portion of the test is completed. * Patients may bring a snack to nuclear cardiology to eat AFTER the test is completed.
* The nurse will call you after 2 p.m. the day before the test.
TESTING PROCEDURE
Rest Portion
* You will be given an explanation of the test and asked to sign a consent form.
* A nuclear medicine technologist will start an IV in either your hand or arm.
* A small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected through the IV.
* You will be asked to wait approximately 30-60 minutes before imaging will occur.
* When imaging occurs you will be asked to lie on an imaging table with both arms above your head. Your chest area will
* Images of your heart will be taken with the camera as it rotates around your chest in a circular fashion.
* Imaging time is approximately 15-20 minutes.
Exercise Portion
* An exercise physiologist or nurse will place electrodes on your chest and connect wires to an EKG machine to monitor
* A blood pressure (BP) cuff will also be placed around your arm to monitor your blood pressure throughout the exercise * The treadmill will start slowly at first and will gradually increase in speed and incline. * Your BP will be checked frequently and your EKG will be continually monitored. * Once your heart rate reaches 85% of predicted maximum, a second injection of the radionuclide will be injected through the IV by the nuclear medicine technologist. * You will be asked to continue exercise for at least one minute after the injection. Exercise as long as you can since that * When the exercise portion is completed, your BP and EKG will be monitored for several more minutes. * You will lie under the camera for a second set of images after a wait period of 30-60 minutes. These images will again take approximately 15 minutes to acquire. NOTE: You may have the opportunity to leave and return after the stress portion has been completed. PLEASE ALLOW 4-5 HOURS FOR THE ENTIRE TEST TO BE COMPLETED

Source: http://www.rockfordcardiovascular.com/patients/PDF/nuclear-stress-test-prep.pdf