Nuclear stress test
About this test
A nuclear stress test is an imaging test that shows how blood goes to the heart at rest and during exercise. It uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer or radiotracer. The substance is given through a vein. An imaging machine takes pictures of how the tracer moves through the heart arteries. This helps find areas of poor blood flow or damage in the heart.
Why it's done
This test may be done if you are being treated for heart disease or you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test is often done to: Diagnose coronary artery disease. The coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Coronary artery disease happens when these arteries are damaged or diseased. A nuclear stress test can diagnose coronary artery disease and show how severe the condition is. Create a treatment plan. If you have coronary artery disease, a nuclear stress test can tell your healthcare team how well treatment is working. The test also shows how much exercise your heart can handle. This information helps your healthcare team choose the best treatment for you.
Risks and complications
A nuclear stress test is generally safe. Complications are rare, but there is some risk. Complications might include: Irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias. Those that occur during a stress test usually go away shortly after exercising ends or the medicine wears off. Life-threatening ones are rare. Low blood pressure. Blood pressure may drop during or right after exercise. This might cause dizziness or fainting. The problem generally goes away after the exercise ends. Heart attack. Although extremely rare, it's possible that a nuclear stress test could cause a heart attack. Some people may have other symptoms during the test, including: Anxiety. Flushing. Headache. Nausea. Shakiness. Shortness of breath. These symptoms are usually mild and go away quickly. Tell your healthcare team if you have any of these symptoms during a nuclear stress test.
How to prepare
Your healthcare professional tells you how to prepare for your nuclear stress test.
What to expect
A nuclear stress test uses a substance called a radioactive tracer. It's given by IV . Then the healthcare professional takes two sets of pictures of the heart — one at rest and another after exercise. A nuclear stress test can take two or more hours. It depends on the radioactive tracer and imaging tests used.
Understanding your results
Your healthcare professional compares the two sets of pictures taken during your nuclear stress test. The pictures show how blood flows through your heart while at rest and during physical activity. Your healthcare professional talks with you about your test results. The results could show: Typical blood flow during exercise and rest. You might not need any more tests. Typical blood flow during rest, but not during exercise. Part of the heart doesn't get enough blood during exercise. This might mean there are one or more blocked arteries, which is coronary artery disease. Low blood flow during rest and exercise. Part of the heart doesn't get enough blood at all times. This could be due to severe coronary artery disease or an earlier heart attack. Lack of blood flow in parts of the heart. Areas of the heart that don't show the radioactive tracer have damage from a heart attack. If you don't have enough blood flow through your heart, you may need a test called coronary angiography. This test helps show any blockages in the heart arteries. If you have a severe blockage in a heart artery, you may need a heart treatment called angioplasty with stenting. Or you might need coronary artery bypass graft surgery, also called CABG. CABG is a type of open-heart surgery that creates a new path for blood to flow around a blockage.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.