|
|
 |
Stress testing
This is a noninvasive test, most frequently used for identifying presence of blockages. Most often this is combined with a radioisotope nuclear scan (Thallium stress test, Technetium stress test) or Echocardiogram (Stress Echocardiogram) to improve the accuracy of diagnosing presence or absence of blockages. Depending on the severity of blockages, the blood flow passing through the blockage may be sufficient when one is resting to supply adequate oxygen to the heart muscle. But under conditions of stress, the blood flow may not be sufficient. Lack of adequate blood flow may be silent in some people (e.g. Diabetics), may cause atypical symptoms like “gas pain” (e.g. women) or typical symptoms like chest pain referred to as angina. While there are several ways to stress the heart for identifying the presence or absence of blockages, the most frequently used stress methods are Treadmill or Pharmacologic (e.g. adenosine, persantine, dobutamine) testing.
At Brookhaven Heart, we use state of the art dual head gamma camera with easy wheel chair accessibility and comfortable bed for our nuclear stress testing studies. This significantly reduces the time necessary for acquiring good quality images and hence the time spent lying down, lessens the chance of motion artifacts and improved overall scan quality. Our Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory has been accredited by ICANL for meeting high standards of quality diagnostic nuclear cardiology imaging.
To prepare for stress testing, usually your doctor gives some instructions, which may include
- Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the test. You will be allowed to eat once the second part of the test is complete and if you want, you could bring snacks.
- Do not eat or drink any caffeine containing products for 24 hours before the test as it will interfere with the test results (Caffeine containing products include Cola, Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, even Decaffeinated beverages, certain over the counter medications containing caffeine like Excedrin).
- Ask your doctor about what medications should be taken or held on the day of your test.
- If you are a diabetic, ask your physician how to adjust your medication on the day of your test. Also if you use Glucometer, bring it with you.
- If you take inhalers for breathing, bring it with you.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for brisk walking. Do not bring your valuables.
- Women who may be pregnant or nursing should inform the doctor before the test. Your doctor may choose to do an alternative test.
- After placing an IV line, nuclear medicine technologist will inject a small amount of radioactive isotope into your veins. After about 15 – 30 minutes, you will be placed under a nuclear camera with arms over your head and asked to lie still for about 10-15 minutes. It is very important that you should not move while the camera is taking pictures.
- Next you will go to the stress lab. A nurse will attach sticky electrodes on to your chest and hook leads onto it and attach the leads to stress computer. You will be either asked to walk on a treadmill or injected a medication to stress your heart, while your doctor monitors your ECG and vital signs. Towards the end of this, technologist will again inject a small amount of radioactive isotope into your veins.
- You will then be waiting for 30 min to 1 hour during which time you are allowed light snacks and drinks. Then you will be placed under the nuclear camera again and second set of pictures will be taken for 15 – 20 minutes. This ends the test.
- The whole procedure usually lasts 3 to 4 hours. Results are available within 24 hours.
<<Back
|
|