Nuclear Stress Test
A nuclear stress test takes two sets of pictures of your heart — one at rest and one after stress. Stress can come from walking on a treadmill or from medication that mimics exercise.
How to prepare
No caffeine for 24 hours
Caffeine counteracts the medication used during the test, and your appointment will be cancelled if you have any. This includes coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and energy drinks — regular AND decaf. Common OTC drugs with caffeine: Excedrin, Anacin, migraine relief, Midol, Vivarin, No-Doz, Cafergot, Fiorinal. You may drink water, juice, or white milk.
Eating and drinking
You may have a light breakfast or lunch (juice, water, white milk, toast, cereal) up to 2 hours before your appointment. If your veins are hard to access, drink extra water the day before. Bring a light snack to eat after the test if you'd like.
Medications
Take all your regular medications as usual unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use your inhaler or nebulizer at the usual time. Bring your rescue inhaler with you even if you don't use it daily. Our office will call you 2-3 days before the test to review medications — some may interfere with the test.
If you have diabetes
Insulin pump: no change. Insulin-dependent: take half (½) your usual morning dose. Oral medication: do not take the morning of the test. All patients with diabetes should eat a light breakfast 2 hours before the appointment.
What to wear
Treadmill-appropriate clothing and sneakers or other closed walking shoes. Women: wear a bra or sports bra. Avoid one-piece dresses or full slips. Bring a sweater or jacket for the waiting area. No lotions or powder on your chest or arms. Don't smoke after midnight the night before.
What to bring
A list of your medications, the written order for the test, your insurance card(s), photo ID, and any required referral. If you use oxygen to sleep, bring your oxygen with you.
Comfort and accessibility
You'll need to lie flat on your back with your arms above your head for 15 minutes per image set (two sets total). The camera moves close to your chin but your head stays out of the scanner. The camera table holds up to 400 pounds. If you use a wheelchair, you'll need to bear weight on your legs to stand and turn onto the table — we can assist but cannot lift you. Tell us in advance if you have claustrophobia, severe anxiety, back/arm/leg problems, or trouble breathing when lying flat.
What happens during the test
We place an IV in your arm to inject a small amount of radioactive material. We take resting pictures of your heart first. You then walk on the treadmill (or receive medication that mimics exercise), with a second injection during the stress phase, followed by a second set of pictures.
Confirming your appointment
Our office will call you 2-3 days before the test. If we can't reach you, you must call us at 856-546-3006 ext. 2250 to confirm — the radioactive material is ordered specifically for you and can't be saved for later.