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NM chemical stress Exam

Thank you for choosing Upson Regional Medical Center for your healthcare needs! Food, diet, clothing, medication, and lifestyle choices can affect the results of your Nuclear Medicine scan; please read the below instructions carefully to ensure you are properly prepared for your scan.

  • A nuclear medicine heart scan, also known as a nuclear chemical stress test, is an imaging procedure that uses a small amount of radioactive material to show how blood flows to the heart. The test can help diagnose coronary artery disease and guide treatment. During the test, a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein and a special camera takes pictures of the tracer's movement through the heart. The images are then compared to show areas of poor blood flow or damage to the heart.

  • Avoid Aggrenox 48 hours prior to your test.

  • Avoid Theophylline 36 hours prior to your test (this includes Theophylline, Theobid, and Theodur).

  • 24 hours prior to your test:

  • Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine:
    • Avoid coffee and tea (including decaffeinated tea), sodas, and chocolate
  • Avoid medications that contain caffeine, this include:
    • Anacin, Excedrin, Goody powders, BC powders, Calergot (all forms), Prolamine, Darvon Compound, Synalgos, Appendrine, Fiorinal, Wigraine, and Aqua-Ban
  • Avoid the following medications:
    • Beta blockers like Coreg, Carvedilol, Atenolol, and Metoprolol
    • Dipyadamole (Persantine)
    • Adenosine
  • Any medications not listed here may be taken with a small amount of water

  • No nicotine products of any kind (including gum or patches) 12 hours prior to your test; it is preferred to avoid these products 24 hours prior to your test

  • Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day of your test other than a small amount of water to take any necessary medications not listed here.
  • The day of your test:
    • You will be asked to remove all items that contain metal prior to your scan; this includes jewelry, hair pins, and anything clothing that contains metal (a gown will be provided). To expedite your visit, we recommended wearing warm, comfortable, metal-free clothing such as leggings, sweat pants, t-shirt, and sports bra if wearing a bra
    • If you are diabetic and taking Insulin or Diabetic medication, hold your medicines for morning testing. If your test is in the afternoon, you may take your diabetic medications with something to eat as long as it is not within 4 hours of your test
    • Please do not use a nitroglycerin patch the day of your test
    • Please arrive 15-30 minutes early to complete your registration prior to coming to the Radiology department; registration is located in the main entrance of the hospital, off Cherokee Road.
    • Bring ALL MEDICATIONS with you to your appointment

  • What to expect:
    • An IV will be started in our arm or hand and an Isotope (radioactive tracer) will be administered immediately afterwards. There should be no side effects from the Isotope, it is only used for imaging purposes.
    • After 15 minutes of resting, images will be taken of your heart
    • Imaging process will take around 14-18 minutes depending on patient size
    • You will then be hooked up for a chemical stress test with an EKG reading
    • Medicine to help increase your heart rate will be administered for 15-20 seconds. If you feel anything such as flushing, headache, nausea, dizziness, lightheaded, short of breath, or chest pain/pressure/tightness, please be sure to let the nurse/tech know
    • A second dose of the isotope will be administered after stress portion
    • Post stress images will be done as soon as the camera is available
    • You will not get results the day of your test; they will be faxed to the ordering doctor and they will contact you within a week to discuss the results
    • The two sets of images allow your doctor to compare the blood flow through your heart while you're at rest and while your heart is pumping harder as a result of exercise or medication.
    • When the test is complete, you may return to normal activities unless your doctor tells you otherwise. The radioactive material will naturally leave your body in your urine or stool, but drinking plenty of water will help flush the tracer out of your system.
    • Some patients may require additional imaging (performed the next day) due to a higher BMI or body habitus. Staff will inform you if this is needed; in this case, please do not eat or drink after midnight, and bring breakfast with you that day.
    • Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have during your visit