Stress Tests
A Cardiac Stress Test evaluates how your heart and blood vessels respond to stress, often to diagnose or assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The test typically involves physical exercise (like treadmill tests) or medication that simulates the effects of exercise on the heart. During the exercise, your heart rhythm will be monitored with an EKG, and your blood pressure will be monitored. Your doctor will also watch for signs and symptoms of stress such as breathlessness and pain.
The results of the test are then studied by your doctor to help identify coronary artery disease, assess the severity of heart conditions, and guide treatment plans. They can also reveal how psychological stress impacts vascular health.
Stress Tests With Imaging
It is common for doctors to order a Stress Test with imaging, when there is a need to capture images soon after the exercise in addition to the EKG. Imaging such as Echocardiography or Nuclear imaging may be used to visualize blood flow and heart function during stress.
Nuclear Stress Test
A Nuclear Stress Test a uses Nuclear imaging (PET or SPECT) scans to capture images of how blood flows through the heart soon after exercise. It provides more defined video images of the heart activity than the echo (ultrasound). Nuclear Stress tests are a good option cardiologists may choose when investigating issues such as a suspected blockage. The results are used to diagnose whether a patient has Coronary Artery Disease, the location and the severity level. The study of a nuclear stress test result helps your cardiologist choose the best treatments for your condition, and to determine how effective your treatment has been.
What To Expect During a Nuclear Stress Test
First, the patient will be given the tracer medication through an IV, and nuclear images will taken of the heart at while rest. Next, the patient will walk on a treadmill while the patient is carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of any exercise induced pain, extreme shortness of breath, or other symptoms. While the patient walks on the treadmill, the heart rhythm is monitored with an EKG and blood pressure is also monitored throughout the activity. Immediately following the exercise period, more tracer medication may be injected and Nuclear scan images of the heart activity are captured.
It is important to note that every dose of medication used for this test is unique to the patient for height/weight ratio as well as the time of day for the test. The shelf life of the tracer material is very short, therefore It is important to keep your appointment time or cancel at least 48 hours prior to your test. Once ordered, the testing material cannot be used for anyone else; you may be charged for it if too short of notice is given for cancellation.
The total time involved with this test may vary from 2-3 hours.