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NM Treadmill 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.
  • 24 hours prior to your test:
    • No beta blockers like Carvedilol, Coreg, Metoprolol, Atenolol
    • Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine:
    • Avoid coffee and tea (including decaffeinated tea), sodas, and chocolate

  • 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:
    • Wear or bring comfortable walking shoes.
    • 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 use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing problems, please bring it to your appointment. Make sure your doctor and staff monitoring your test are aware you use an inhaler
    • 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 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.
  • What to expect:
    • An IV will be started in your 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
    • Sticky patches (electrodes) will be placed on your chest, legs and arms, which connect by wires to an electrocardiogram machine. The electrocardiogram records the electrical signals that trigger your heartbeats. A cuff placed on your arm checks your blood pressure during the test.
    • For the exercise portion of the test, you will be asked to step on a treadmill. You will begin walking on the treadmill slowly. As the test progresses, the speed and incline of the treadmill increases.
    • You will continue exercising until your heart rate has reached a set target or until you develop symptoms that don’t allow you to continue, such as chest pain, dizziness, and other symptoms
    • You can stop the test any time you’re too uncomfortable to continue
    • After you’ve exercised, a second dose of the isotope will be administered
    • 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