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Nuclear Perfusion Stress Testing
 What is Nuclear Perfusion
Stress Testing?
A nuclear perfusion stress test checks
to see how blood flows through your heart muscle. A tracer
dye
is injected in your arm through an IV and a camera scans the
tracer in the blood as
it flows through the heart muscle before and after you exercise
on a treadmill. This is called an Exercise Nuclear Perfusion
Stress
test. If
you
are
unable
to
exercise on a treadmill,
a drug
is used
to substitute for exercise. This is called a Pharmacological
Nuclear Perfusion Stress test.
Please follow these instructions carefully and call us if you have any questions:
- Please report 15 minutes early and bring your insurance cards and your medications (or list).
- Wear comfortable clothing such as a jogging suit, shorts, slacks, running or walking shoes. No sandals, boots, high heels, dresses. No metal, zippers, snaps, jewelry around the neck. No lotions on your chest or arms.
- Dietary instructions:
-- Do not have anything to eat or drink, except water in moderate amounts for 6 hours prior to your appointment.
-- Do not have any caffeine or decaffeinated food, beverages or over-the-counter drugs for 24 hours prior to your test. Please also refer to Nuclear Stress Test Pre-Test Medication Instructions.
-- No smoking for 24 hours prior to the test.
- Please allow
4 hours
for this
test.
To see any medications
you should not take prior to the test click
here .
Diabetic patients: Do not take your insulin or oral medication the day of the test; please bring it with you to take when instructed. Please also refer to Nuclear Stress Test Pre-Test Medication Instructions.
During your nuclear stress test:
You will first have scanning
pictures taken while you rest.
To get your heart working hard, you need to exercise on a treadmill for several
minutes or if you are unable to exercise on a treadmill you will be given a
medication to increase your heart rate.
If you are exercising on a treadmill, you will be asked to let the doctor know
when you reach the point that you can only exercise for 1 more minute. At this
point the second injection of tracer dye is given to you through the IV in
your hand.
When the exercise is over, you will have a second set of pictures taken.
After your test:
Ask when you may eat and if you should take any medicine you were told to skip.
Report any symptoms you feel like chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness.
The tracer leaves your body within hours.
If you have any concerns or questions, please
feel free to contact our nuclear center.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
24 HOURS NOTICE is required for all cancellations; otherwise you will be charged for the cost of the isotopes ordered specifically for your test.
Written orders/prescription for this test is required prior to performing all testing. If your insurance requires a referral, please obtain one from your primary care physician. All may be faxed to (571) 323-3980 (Reston office) or (703) 641-0383 (Fairfax office).
Test Locations:
Cardiac Care Associates PC
1830 Town Center Dr.
Suite 405
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: (703) 481-3165 |
Cardiac Care Associates PC
8316 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: (703) 641-9161
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