How is a Nuclear Stress Test Performed?
The nuclear stress test is performed in two parts. There is a resting portion and a stress portion. These are done back to back so that your doctor can see how the blood flows around the heart at rest and after it has undergone stress. It is possible for the blood flow to be normal at rest and less then adequate after stress, or vice versa.
The resting portion of the test is when there is radioactive substance injected into the bloodstream so that it mixes with the blood to go to the heart so that pictures can be taken by the scanning machine. Usually your pictures are taken 20 to 30 minutes after injection. The injection is most often given in the arm unless there isn’t a viable vein, and then the top of the hand or foot can be used.
The second portion of your test is known as the stress portion. This is where you will exercise either on a treadmill or stationary bike. The treadmill is most often used. Prior to the exercise beginning electrodes are placed on your chest so that all electrical activity can be monitored. You will also have a blood pressure cuff attached to your arm so that your blood pressure can be monitored before during and after exercise.
Once you have reached your target heart rate the exercise segment is completed there is a second injection of the radioactive substance given. Then the second set of pictures is taken approximately 30 minutes after the last injection.
You will be drinking a lot of water, depending on the facility to help flush out the radioactive substance. Bare in mind that you are exposed to a lesser dose of radioactivity then if you were getting a simple X-Ray done.
This is the how the nuclear stress test is performed. The only difference in procedure will be on when the resting pictures are taken. That can vary by facility, some prefer to get those pictures first and others get them after exercise. It is also possible, depending on your diagnosis that only half of the test is performed.