rest. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that from an x-ray CT scan.  This test differs from a HEARTSCAN which is a computerized x-ray of your heart without exercise. Such a scan  shows only presence or absence of calcium in your arteries. The Nuclear stress test is much more sophisticated and  informative and therefore more expensive.

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE THE TEST?
Do not eat or drink 3 hours prior to the test.  Your physician will decide to discontinue certain medications prior to the stress exam. Wear slacks or shorts for the exercise. Wear comfortable footwear appropriate for brisk exercise on a treadmill   a moving belt you walk on) or stationary bicycle. 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME ? 
You will be requested to sign a consent form.
Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest. 
An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. This line will be used to inject the isotope into your bloodstream. You will exercise by walking on a moving belt called a treadmill. In certain cases if you are completely unable to walk, the same test can be done by injecting certain drugs intravenously  (e.g. PERSANTINE, DOBUTAMINE). These drugs mimic the effects of exercise on your heart. If you experience  any chest pain or lightheadedness during any of the above procedures, please let the physician or the technician know.  The radioisotope will be injected through the IV line approximately 1 minute before the end of exercise and is  immediately carried to the heart by the blood. A special camera that can detect radiation will visualize the isotope in  your heart. The technologist will begin taking pictures following your exercise. This is called IMAGING. You will be  asked to lie flat on an imaging table. 

WHAT ABOUT RESULTS?
These will be sent to your referral physician as soon as they are available usually the same evening or the next morning. Your physician will then discuss the results with you either on phone or on your next appointment. If the test is totally  normal, a Nurse or medical assistant may let you know. 

If you have a question, please email it to us by clicking:
kardiodoc@yahoo.com   FOR CARDIOLOGY RELATED QUESTIONS
rehabplus@yahoo.com   FOR PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION QUESTIONS.

Please understand that the questions should not be of a nature that need urgent answers and you should not delay you care because of waiting for the question to be answered. In these cases, please call your personal physician or if you in houston area call us for an appointment. We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you!