How is a Cardiolite® stress test performed?
- When you arrive at the Nuclear Medicine department, you will need to change into comfortable clothes. ...
- You will start walking on a treadmill, or pedaling on a stationary bicycle. ...
- A tracer substance called Cardiolite® is put into the IV when your heart rate reaches a certain speed. ...
- You will exercise about nine to 12 minutes. ...
What should I expect during a cardiac stress test?
What you can expect
- Before a stress test. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and how often and at what level of intensity you exercise.
- During a stress test. A nurse or technician will place sticky patches (electrodes) on your chest, legs and arms. ...
- After a stress test. ...
What are the dangers of a cardiac stress test?
What are the risks of a cardiac stress test? Medicine or exercise may cause chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat, dizziness, or a heart attack. Medicine given to stress your heart may cause wheezing or shortness or breath. Care Agreement You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated.
What happens during a cardiac stress test?
During a cardiac stress test with exercise, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill or pedal on a stationary bicycle. Instead, you may lie down and pedal a bicycle. The speed, height, or resistance of the exercise machine may be increased over time. You will be asked to exercise for as long as you can. You may be asked to breathe into a tube.
What are the different types of cardiac stress tests?
Understanding the five most common heart tests
- EKG (electrocardiogram)
- Echocardiogram (echo or cardiac ultrasound)
- Exercise stress test
- Chemical stress test (at least 2 types: dobutamine stress echo or nuclear stress test)
- Holter/event monitor . Remember: It's a good idea to understand the purpose of any test you are taking or having done. ...
What can I expect from a cardiolite stress test?
The nurse will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and EKG for several minutes following the exercise. You will then be instructed as to when a second set of images will be made of your heart. This can range anywhere from 15 minutes post-exercise to 3 hours post-exercise, depending on the schedule.
Do you walk on treadmill for cardiolite stress test?
You will need to walk for at least one more minute after the cardiolite is injected into your IV to allow the cardiolite adequate time to circulate throughout your body. While on the treadmill, you will be asked by the technician how tired you are on a 1-10 scale.
Why does a doctor order a cardiolite stress test?
A Cardiolite Stress Test uses an imaging tracer to see how well blood is flowing to your heart muscle at rest and stress. It also helps determine if there are any blockages to your heart.
Is a stress test the same as a nuclear stress test?
A regular stress test shows the EKG, heartrate and blood pressure while you are walking on a treadmill. A nuclear stress test shows your physician pictures of the blood flow to the heart muscle, in addition to the EKG, heartrate and blood pressure.
Should someone accompany you to a stress test?
Friends/family are welcome to accompany you to the office but are not allowed in the testing area due to our privacy policy. Allow approximately 90 minutes for the test. Test results will be communicated to you by your physician.
How do I prepare for a cardiolite stress test?
Prep InstructionsDO NOT EAT 4 HOURS PRIOR to the test. ... ABSOLUTELY NO CAFFEINE 12 HOURS BEFORE THE TEST. ... NO TOBACCO PRODUCTS 8 HOURS PRIOR to the test.Wear loose, comfortable clothing and rubber-soled walking shoes.More items...
Can I drive home after nuclear stress test?
You will not be allowed to eat or drink until the medicine used to numb your throat wears off. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You may not drive yourself home after your test.
Can a stress test show a blockage?
A cardiac stress test can reveal blockages in your arteries through the various types of information it collects. If your blood oxygen level is below normal, the test reveals that your blood flow is partially blocked.
How long does cardiolite stay in your system?
Your body will eliminate the Cardiolite after one or two days.
Why do they numb your throat for a stress test?
You are also given medicine (local anesthetic) to numb your throat. This helps you feel more comfortable during the procedure. An exercise stress test measures how your heart deals with the stress of physical activity.
What should I avoid after a nuclear stress test?
Caffeine and decaffeinated food products & beverages:Coffee: any kind, brewed instant, or iced.Tea: any kind, brewed instant, or iced.Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea: any kind, brewed, instant, or iced.Chocolate: candy, cake, baking cocoa, pudding, milk, brownies, dark, baker's,Soda Cola:Common & OTC Drugs:
How do you feel after a nuclear stress test?
These symptoms can occur during a nuclear stress test. Some people also have nausea, shakiness, headache, flushing, shortness of breath and anxiety during the stress test. These signs and symptoms are usually mild and brief, but tell your doctor if they occur.
How is a stress test done without a treadmill?
Without exercise In a chemical stress test, the patient receives medications that either speed up the heart rate or dilate the arteries. The body responds in a similar way it would to exercise. A radionuclide is injected into the patient's arm or hand while resting.
What should you not do before a stress test?
You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a period of time before a stress test. You may need to avoid caffeine the day before and the day of the test. Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications before the test.
How do you pass a treadmill stress test?
To prepare, you should:Not eat anything in the hours leading up to the test. ... Avoid caffeine for 24 hours before testing. ... Not smoke or use tobacco products.Stop taking certain prescription medications the day of your test. ... Try to relax. ... Wear lightweight, comfortable clothes and sturdy walking shoes.
How long does the average person last on a stress test?
During a stress test: Your entire stress test, including the prep time, would take about 45 minutes to an hour. The actual test takes only around 15-20 minutes. The patient would have to walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle.
How long before a blood test can you eat?
Please do not eat anything six hours prior to your test, although you may have sips of water. It is also important to not consume any caffeinated products for 24 hours before your test. This would include any coffee, tea, soda, (including decaffeinated varieties), and chocolate.
What is a cardiolite stress test?
A Cardiolite Stress Test uses an imaging tracer to see how well blood is flowing to your heart muscle at rest and stress. It also helps determine if there are any blockages to your heart.
How long after a heart tracer injection?
This tracer is what allows us to obtain images of your heart. No side effects are expected from this injection. You will be asked to wait about one hour after the injection while the tracer circulates though your body. After the one hour wait, your resting images will be taken.
What to do if you don't have an appointment with your doctor?
If you do not have an appointment, please contact your physician's office in order to determine how these results will be obtained.
How long does it take to take a resting image?
After the one hour wait, your resting images will be taken. These take approximately 20 minutes and require you to lay on your back with your arms above your head.
Why do you need a heart test?
There are several reasons why your health care provider may want you to have this test. You may exhibit signs or symptoms of heart disease or risk factors for it. This test is also ordered to monitor known heart disease, for pre-surgical clearance and pre-pulmonary rehab.
How long does it take to get a nuclear medicine test?
This test takes approximately four hours. There are two parts to this test, a rest and a stress portion. After your check in, a nurse/technologist will call you back to the Nuclear Medicine are. Your history will be reviewed and an IV lock will be placed in a vein in your arm or hand.
What is a cardiolite test?
The Cardiolite stress test or cardiac nuclear perfusion study is a diagnostic tool that helps calculate blood flow to the heart during rest and stress/exercise. Adding Persantine makes it possible to study blood flow to the hearts of those patients unable to exercise in a traditional fashion, such as on a treadmill.
What is a Persantine stress test?
A Persantine stress test with Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI), otherwise known as a Cardiolite, is a drug-induced stress test that can be done for individuals unable to walk on a treadmill. This test uses a short-lived radioactive material and computer imaging to highlight any severely diseased blood vessels that may be causing diminished blood flow to your heart. This test helps determine whether you have heart disease, or a heart-related cause of symptoms (such as shortness of breath or chest or upper back pain).
What is a cardiolite stress test?
Cardiolite is a radioactive tracer that is used to assess the blood flow to your heart muscle as well as the strength of the heart muscle. This information, in combination with your EKG portion of your stress test, will assist your doctor in better ...
What medicine do you take for a stress test?
If your doctor has ordered or you are unable to walk on the treadmill, you will be given medicine (Dobutamine or Adenosine) so that pictures can be taken of your heart at stress.
How long does it take for Cardiolite to be absorbed?
An IV will be started and you will be given a small dose of Cardiolite. There is a delay of ½ to 1 hour before you are scanned to allow the tracer to be absorbed. Then you will lie on the imaging table for approximately 15 minutes while the camera takes pictures around your chest.
Planning ahead
Arrive at the hospital 30 minutes before your exam is scheduled. Ask the scheduler what time that is.
Bring with you when you come for your test
Complete list of medications you are currently taking – name and dosage of each medication, and when you take it.
On the day of the test
Come in through the main entrance of Mon Health Medical Center and to the Radiology Services registration desk, which is down the hallway to the right.
During the exam
The nurse will start an IV, and it will be injected with the imaging agent. This agent must circulate for a while before any images can be obtained.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Cardiolite?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take Cardiolite (technetium tc 99m sestamibi). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Cardiolite?
Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
What are some other side effects of Cardiolite?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
How is this medicine (Cardiolite) best taken?
Use Cardiolite (technetium tc 99m sestamibi) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
How do I store and/or throw out Cardiolite?
If you need to store Cardiolite (technetium tc 99m sestamibi) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
How long does it take to die from Cardiolite?
Patients who have or may have heart disease: Rarely, deaths have happened 4 to 24 hours after using Cardiolite (technetium tc 99m sestamibi) in people with heart disease. Most of the time, these have happened with exercise stress tests.
What does it mean when you have a heartbeat that does not feel normal?
Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight. Chest pain or pressure. A heartbeat that does not feel normal. Very bad dizziness or passing out. Shortness of breath.
Why do you need a radiotracer for a stress test?
The radiotracer used during a nuclear stress test helps your doctor determine your risk of a heart attack or other cardiac event if you have coronary artery disease. A nuclear stress test may be done after a regular exercise stress test to get more information about your heart, or it may be the first stress test used.
What is the difference between a nuclear stress test and a nuclear stress test?
If your doctor orders a nuclear stress test, you'll also receive a small amount of radioactive material (radiotracer) through an IV. The radiotracer shows the blood flow to your heart muscle. A nuclear stress test uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) ...
What does it mean when your heart doesn't show a radioactive tracer?
Lack of blood flow in parts of your heart. Areas of your heart that don't show the radioactive tracer have damage from a heart attack.
How long does it take to get a nuclear stress test?
A nuclear stress test can take two or more hours, depending on the radioactive tracer and imaging tests used.
How many sets of images are taken during a nuclear stress test?
A nuclear stress test involves injecting a radioactive tracer, then taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after exercise.
Can you take over the counter medications before a stress test?
Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications before the test, because they might interfere with certain stress tests.
Is nuclear stress test safe?
A nuclear stress test is generally safe. Complications are rare. As with any medical procedure, there is a risk of complications, which may include: