If your doctor says you need a nuclear medicine stress test, you’re bound to have questions, including: What is that? And is it safe?
Nuclear stress testing is indeed a safe way to help your doctor see how well your heart works, experts note.
Why would I need a stress test?
One of the most common reasons to have a nuclear stress test is to help get to the bottom of symptoms like chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath, which can be caused by heart disease. A nuclear stress test can show if your heart muscle is getting enough blood while at rest and while you’re exercising. Poor blood flow to the heart can suggest a blockage or another problem with how your heart is working.
What to expect during your nuclear medicine stress test
For the test, a small amount radioactive tracer is injected into a vein and is circulated through your bloodstream. The tracer is safe and is radioactive for a very short period of time; half-life is 2 minutes. While you rest, a special camera that detects radiation will take pictures while the tracer moves through your heart.
It’s called a stress test because you may walk or run on a treadmill for the next part of the exam. If you can’t exercise, you’ll receive medicine to make your heart work harder. More pictures of your heart will be taken. This will show if your heart gets enough blood while it’s working hard (stressed).
Preparing for your cardiac stress test
Be sure to follow the instructions given to you to ensure that the pictures of your heart are clear.
For example, before your stress test, you may need to avoid:
- Certain medications.
- Caffeinated (and decaffeinated) foods or beverages.
- Eating or drinking after midnight.
- Smoking.
Since you may be using a treadmill, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
You can usually go about your normal activities after a nuclear medicine stress test.
It is safe to be around pregnant women as well as children due to the short radioactivity.
You and your doctor will discuss your results and any next steps. If everything looks normal, you might not need any more tests.
Nuclear stress testing, close to home
If you need a nuclear medicine stress test, you won’t have to travel far. At Carson Valley Health (CVH), our Medical Imaging Department in Gardnerville offers this and many other diagnostic imaging tests and procedures. If you want to have your test done at CVH, ask your provider for a referral.
If you would like to learn more about our imaging services or schedule a test, please call 775.782.1533.
