Cardiology Consultants Of Central Ma Hospital- Heart Specialists

Instructions for Nuclear Stress Test

Echocardiogram Instructions

Catherization Instructions

Cardioversion Instructions

Pacemaker Instructions

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Instructions for Nuclear Stress Test

Total Length of Test:            Approximately 3 Hours

Instructions before the test:

·        No caffeine products or decaf. products (coffee, tea, cola, etc.) after midnight .

·        Nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to appointment time. May drink water. (* If diabetic, may have juice and toast but absolutely no caffeine products.)

·        Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for exercise, and please wear a short-sleeved shirt.

·        Medications (day of test): Take all MEDICATIONS. EXCEPTIONS: (Doctor would inform you of any medications that should not be taken)

·        Please bring a list of all current medications with you to your appointment.

Explanation of test:

·        When you arrive for your test, an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. While you are sitting, a small amount of a radioactive tracer (Myoview) will be injected through the IV line. You will wait approximately 1 hour after the injection and then pictures of your heart will be taken. You will be lying flat on an imaging table for approximately 20 minutes while a special camera rotates around your chest. It is important for you to remain very still during the scan.

·        After this first scan, you will be prepared for the stress test. Several electrodes (small foam pads) will be placed on your chest so that your EKG may be monitored. A blood pressure cuff will also be placed on your arm.

·        If your doctor has requested an EXERCISE stress test, you will begin walking on a treadmill. The treadmill will start very slowly, and will increase in speed and incline every three minutes until your reach your maximum ability. An addition injection of the radioactive tracer will be given through the IV line approximately 1 minute before the end of exercise. A second 20 minute scan of your heart will be taken 15 minutes to 1 hour later. The test is then complete.

·        If your doctor has requested a CHEMICAL (or pharmacologic) stress test, a medication will be given through the IV line while you are lying down. The medication will simulate the effects of exercise, and will increase the blood flow to your heart. The doctor may ask you to perform low-level exercise for a few minutes after the medication if you are able. An additional injection of the radioactive tracer will be given through the IV line. A second 20 minute scan of your heart will be taken approximately 1 hour later. The test is then complete.

IMPORTANT!!!!

REMEMBER:

DO NOT INGEST COFFEE, TEA, SODA (THIS INCLUDES DECAFFEINATED PRODUCTS) AFTER MIDNIGHT .

DO NOT EAT FOR FOUR HOURS BEFORE TIME OF YOUR APPOINTMENT. (IF YOU’RE DIABETIC, YOU MAY HAVE JUICE AND TOAST ONLY!)

YOU SHOULD PLAN ON BEING IN OUR OFFICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS.

BRING A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURENTLY TAKING TO THE APPOINTMENT WITH YOU.

Download and Print directions

Instructions for Nuclear Stress Test

Total Length of Test:            Approximately 3 Hours

Instructions before the test:

·        No caffeine products or decaf. products (coffee, tea, cola, etc.) after midnight .

·        Nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to appointment time. May drink water. (* If diabetic, may have juice and toast but absolutely no caffeine products.)

·        Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for exercise, and please wear a short-sleeved shirt.

·        Medications (day of test): Take all MEDICATIONS. EXCEPTIONS: (Doctor would inform you of any medications that should not be taken)

·        Please bring a list of all current medications with you to your appointment.

Explanation of test:

·        When you arrive for your test, an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. While you are sitting, a small amount of a radioactive tracer (Myoview) will be injected through the IV line. You will wait approximately 1 hour after the injection and then pictures of your heart will be taken. You will be lying flat on an imaging table for approximately 20 minutes while a special camera rotates around your chest. It is important for you to remain very still during the scan.

·        After this first scan, you will be prepared for the stress test. Several electrodes (small foam pads) will be placed on your chest so that your EKG may be monitored. A blood pressure cuff will also be placed on your arm.

·        If your doctor has requested an EXERCISE stress test, you will begin walking on a treadmill. The treadmill will start very slowly, and will increase in speed and incline every three minutes until your reach your maximum ability. An addition injection of the radioactive tracer will be given through the IV line approximately 1 minute before the end of exercise. A second 20 minute scan of your heart will be taken 15 minutes to 1 hour later. The test is then complete.

·        If your doctor has requested a CHEMICAL (or pharmacologic) stress test, a medication will be given through the IV line while you are lying down. The medication will simulate the effects of exercise, and will increase the blood flow to your heart. The doctor may ask you to perform low-level exercise for a few minutes after the medication if you are able. An additional injection of the radioactive tracer will be given through the IV line. A second 20 minute scan of your heart will be taken approximately 1 hour later. The test is then complete.

IMPORTANT!!!!

REMEMBER:

DO NOT INGEST COFFEE, TEA, SODA (THIS INCLUDES DECAFFEINATED PRODUCTS) AFTER MIDNIGHT .

DO NOT EAT FOR FOUR HOURS BEFORE TIME OF YOUR APPOINTMENT. (IF YOU’RE DIABETIC, YOU MAY HAVE JUICE AND TOAST ONLY!)

YOU SHOULD PLAN ON BEING IN OUR OFFICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS.

BRING A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE CURENTLY TAKING TO THE APPOINTMENT WITH YOU.