Preparing for your Nuclear Stress Test
- Please do not wear any neck jewelry.
- There are no locker rooms to change into gym clothes.
- Everyone is encouraged to bring a warm jacket/sweater and a good book, the day of the exam.
- Please take all your medications according to physician’s directions.
- There are no side affects from this procedure, and you can drive your vehicle after the test.
- You may want to bring a sandwich and/or snack with you. We do furnish some snacks while you wait.
Other Important Info:
CHEMICAL STRESS TEST
TAKE ALL YOUR MEDICATIONS.
EXERCISE STRESS TEST
DON’T TAKE BETA BLOCKERS THE MORNING OF TEST, BUT BRING THEM WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.
- TENORETIC
- COREG
- ATENOLOL
- SOTALOL
- TENORMIN
- BETAPACE
- LOPRESSOR
If you are scheduled for a Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test, You have a restricted diet.
NO CAFFEINE 4 HOURS PRIOR TO STRESS TEST
Some foods like chocolate, Coke, coffee, and tea contain caffeine. Even decaffeinated products need to be avoided because they still contain some caffeine.
NO DAIRY PRODUCTS 6 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT
You may have clear liquids, water, fruit juice, Jell-O, fruits, toast, and clear broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable). If you are a diabetic, eat what you must to manage your condition, keeping in mind, the less you eat, the more accurate your test results will be. If you are insulin dependent, please take half your insulin dose at the regularly scheduled time, UNLESS OTHER WISE INSTRUCTED BY YOUR DOCTOR.
MALE patients are encouraged to wear two-piece outfits with walking shoes. DO NOT wear cowboy boots, shirts with metal snaps, or overalls.
FEMALE patients are encouraged to wear a two-piece outfit, with walking shoes. Please DO NOT wear a dress with heels, large buttons, glue-design sweatshirts, body shapers, full slips, perfumes, lotions, or powders.
What is Nuclear Cardiology?
Nuclear Cardiology is a specialty of Nuclear Medicine that enables the physician to evaluate the blood flow within the myocardium. There are no dyes or contrast used in this procedure. You will be injected with a radioactive isotope, so images can be obtained. A camera will surround the patient for a period of 18 minutes. If you are claustrophobic, now is a good time to discuss this condition with the physician. The exam will tak approximately 3 1/2 — 6 hours to complete, depending on the number of patients scheduled that day. Since this procedure will take up most of the day, DO NOT make any appointments the day of this procedure. Nuclear Medicine is a function of time, please be patient and prepare yourself for a long day. Seating is limited to patients, please be conscious of the number of friends that you invite. Due to the use of radiation, only the patient will be allowed into the work area. We encourage the spouse to remain in the waiting room.
A 24-hour notice to cancel the procedure is mandatory, since the radioactive isotopes are ordered specifically for your test. You will be charged $600 for the isotopes, if you fail to give proper notice.
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