Information from 2022 suggests that the most common side effects of a nuclear stress test are a headache and feeling flushed. Other possible side effects include: chest pain. dizziness.
The risk of a serious complication is extremely low. Risks can include: Symptoms caused by a faster heartbeat, such as chest pain, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, nausea, heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest.
After an exercise stress test, patients may feel tired for several hours or longer after the procedure, particularly if they do not normally exercise. Otherwise, patients should feel normal within a few hours after the procedure, if not sooner. If fatigue lasts longer than a day, notify the doctor.
People usually can go back to normal activities immediately. You may want to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the tracer out of your body. After the test, you may feel tired or dizzy or have a headache. Those symptoms should go away with time and rest.
After an exercise stress test, patients may feel tired for several hours or longer after the procedure, particularly if they do not normally exercise. Otherwise, patients should feel normal within a few hours after the procedure, if not sooner. If fatigue lasts longer than a day, notify the doctor.
A normal test most often means that you were able to exercise as long as or longer than most people of your age and sex. You also did not have symptoms or changes in blood pressure, your ECG or the images of your heart that caused concern.
The test ends after maintaining your target heart rate long enough to capture readings about heart function, usually about 10 to 15 minutes. Your target heart rate is higher than when at rest and based on your age and fitness level.
Abnormal: An abnormal, or positive, stress test leads to next steps specific to the patient's needs and the complexity of their results. A cardiologist may recommend medications, such as baby aspirin, to help reduce the risk of heart attack.
The stress portion of the test is performed using either an exercise treadmill, vasodilators (Adenosine, Persantine, Lexiscan), or Dobutamine. All the stress modalities can cause a wide variety of symptoms including a headache; but again, these typically occur up to several hours after the stress test.
Your target heart rate during a stress test depends on your age. For adults, the maximum predicted heart rate is 220 minus your age. So, if you're 40 years old, the maximum predicted heart rate is 220 – 40 = 180.
Stress tests are generally safe. Some people may have chest pain or may faint or collapse. A heart attack or dangerous irregular heart rhythm is rare. People who are more likely to have such complications are often already known to have heart problems, so they are not given this test.
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.
Patients are categorized as low-, intermediate- or high-risk. Low risk (score > 5) indicates a 5-year survival of 97%. Intermediate risk (score between 4 and -11) indicates 5-year survival of 90%. High risk (score < -11) indicates 5-year survival of 65%.
Stress tests are usually safe. You will be closely watched during the test. If a problem develops, you'll be treated quickly. Medicines that make your heart work harder sometimes cause symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea.
The FAA expects testing to achieve 100% of Maximum Predicted Heart Rate (220 minus your age) and nine minutes duration unless medically contraindicated or prevented by symptoms such as fatigue, leg cramps, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort.
“Generally a test should last 8 to 12 minutes, unless it is prematurely stopped due to fatigue or abnormal signs/symptoms. Patients who remain on the treadmill for 7 minutes or longer are in good to excellent physical condition.”
"It's actually very logical," Hedman said. "When we exercise, the heart needs to pump more blood in each beat and in every minute, which causes systolic blood pressure to increase. The men who were measured with high blood pressure while exercising were in general achieving a higher workload -- they were more fit."
Bring all medications, or a list of medications, for review. 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.
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. Before coming for your test, arrange for someone to take you home afterwards.
Refrain from all caffeine-containing foods and beverages for 24 hours prior to your study. You are allowed to take your prescribed medications, including blood pressure medications, the morning of the test with small amounts of water or juice, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
"For tests that measure heart function, stress can influence your results, so it's important to find ways to stay calm in the days leading up to the test," says Dr. Lombardo.
Disadvantages: poor performance (sensitivity 68%, specificity 77%), cannot be used with certain baseline ECG abnormalities (LBBB, preexcitation, baseline ST depression, LVH)
Interpreting the results of a stress test
Normal results from a stress test mean the patient has less than 70% artery blockage. Further testing might be recommended if the patient has risk factors for CAD. An abnormal result means the patient has more than 70% blockage in their coronary artery.