Nervous About Your Nuclear Stress Test? Here's How to Prepare

If our team here at Heart and Vascular Associates LLC in Sierra Vista, Arizona, recommends a nuclear stress test, you might feel a bit uneasy — especially if it’s your first one. 

Don’t fret, though. This well-established test is safe, effective, and one of the best tools to evaluate how well blood flows through your heart. There are 8 million nuclear stress tests in the United States each year.

Take a moment as our team explains what to expect and how to prepare so you can walk in feeling confident and informed.

What’s a nuclear stress test?

A nuclear stress test goes by many names. You may hear it called a myocardial perfusion imaging study, cardiac PET, or cardiac SPECT.

This imaging test tracks blood flow to your heart at rest and during exercise. That’s a key part of stress tests because certain heart conditions aren’t easily detected when you’re at rest.

For your test, we use a small amount of radioactive material called a tracer that highlights your blood vessels and helps our team see how well your heart functions.

Nuclear stress testing has several uses. It can:

• Diagnose coronary artery disease
• Monitor congestive heart failure
• Determine how much exercise your heart can safely handle
• Check how well your treatment works over time

Before your nuclear stress test, Dr. Vinay Sanghi explains how he uses the results to shape or adjust your treatment plan.

What to expect during your nuclear stress test

The process usually takes 3-4 hours. Here’s a step-by-step look:

Tracer injection

We place a small IV in your arm and inject the tracer. You may feel a brief pinch from the needle, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Electrode and blood pressure cuff placement

We place electrodes on your chest, arms, and legs to monitor your heart with an EKG. We also put a blood pressure cuff on your arm to monitor your vitals throughout the test.

First round of imaging

You lie still on the table while we take the first set of heart images.

Exercise

Next comes the exercise portion of the test. You walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike and gradually increase your effort. You can stop at any time if needed.

If you can’t exercise, you might need a pharmacological nuclear stress test. This type uses medication to mimic the effects of exercise on your heart. 

Another tracer injection

After exercise, you receive a second tracer injection and then lie back down for another round of imaging.

Then you’re done! You can return to your usual activities once the test is complete.

How to prepare for your nuclear stress test 

The better you prepare for your nuclear stress test, the more accurate the results. Follow any instructions our team gives you. These may include:

• Fasting for a few hours before your test
• Avoiding caffeine or certain medications
• Wearing comfortable clothes and shoes for exercise

Call us before your appointment if you have questions about your medications or any restrictions.

We’re here to support you

At Heart and Vascular Associates, our experienced team takes the time to explain each step and answer your questions. Whether you’re nervous or simply curious, we’re here to support you with compassionate, expert care.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 520-335-2400 or book online today.