Don't eat anything the night before the test, and avoid any foods that contain caffeine for a full day beforehand. You'll have to skip your morning cup of coffee or tea, and avoid sodas and chocolate. Your doctor will let you know if you need to stop taking any of your medicines before the test.
Preparing for Your Nuclear Stress Test
Do not eat or drink anything that is caffeinated or decaffeinated for at least 24 hours before the procedure. You may have a light meal 2 hours before your appointment. All medication should be taken as you would normally, unless otherwise directed by our office or your physician.
Typically, the following drugs may be stopped before a nuclear stress test, however, be sure to ask your doctor before stopping these drugs and follow his / her instructions: Beta Blockers: Lopressor, metoprolol, Toprol XL, atenolol, Inderal, propranolol. Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), dinitrate (Isordil)
THE DAY OF THE TEST
Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before the test. You MAY drink water in any amount.
Do Not Eat or Drink Anything including gum and breath mints for at least 4 hours before the test. Water and brushing your teeth are the only things that are okay. 2. No Caffeine for at least 12 hours before the test This Includes Coffee and Tea (regular and decaffeinated) Colas and chocolates.
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.
The Nuclear Medicine Stress Test takes approximately four hours to complete. You are encouraged to bring a book, or some other means to pass the time quietly. You will be able to drive yourself home after the test is completed. Wear loose comfortable clothing with walking or tennis shoes.
Please shower prior to your appointment to reduce the spread of bacteria to our equipment. No lotions or body creams should be used on the day of testing. Deodorant is OK.
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.
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.
The first day will usually be the stress portion (plan on two hours). The second day is the resting portion and no restrictions for caffeine or beta blockers are required (plan on at least one hour). An intravenous line will be placed in your arm.
You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a time before a nuclear stress test. You may need to avoid caffeine the day before and the day of the test. Ask your provider if you need to stop taking any medicines before the test. Some medicines can interfere with some test results.
The test can show the size of the heart's chambers, how well the heart is pumping blood, and whether the heart has any damaged or dead muscle. Nuclear stress tests can also give doctors information about your arteries and whether they might be narrowed or blocked because of coronary artery disease.
They're Not Stressful
Stress in fact means putting additional expectations on the heart – this could be by simply walking on a treadmill, not running a marathon.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is suitable for exercise. Men usually don't wear a shirt during the test, and women generally wear a bra and a lightweight blouse or a hospital gown. You should also wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
Your doctor will ask you to refrain from eating or drinking for two to four hours prior to the test. This is to reduce the likelihood that you'll experience nausea during the test.
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.
How Long Does a Nuclear Stress Test Take? Typically, your appointment will take about 2-4 hours. Some of this time is spent in preparation for the test, and in waiting for the tracer in the bloodstream to be taken up by the heart.
You can leave immediately. Your activity will not be restricted. You may resume your normal diet, exercise, and take all prescribed medications. If you plan to travel within 2 weeks of your nuclear stress test, let us know so we can give you a note.
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. For diagnostic treadmill testing, some doctors try to achieve about 85 percent of the predicted maximum heart rate.
Stress Test: Can I eat breakfast before my Stress Test? Yes, a light breakfast is allowed with all types of Stress Tests (Nuclear, Stress Echo and regular Stress Tests). There is a caffeine restriction for 24 hours only with a Nuclear Stress Test.
Medicare Coverage for Nuclear Stress Tests
Medicare Part B coverage will help cover these tests if it is deemed medically necessary under certain circumstances. If your physician orders the nuclear stress test in order to diagnose or rule out illness, Medicare will pay for the screening.
The angiogram and cardiac catheterization are the most definitive tests, better than a nuclear stress test, but both use significant radiation, and the cardiac catheterization uses a large catheter in the artery, which can cause complications.