How Long Does a Nuclear Stress Test Take?

by admin Health Care

Imagine your doctor or someone you know has mentioned taking a nuclear stress test, and now, you find yourself falling into the rabbit hole of information available on the internet. Wading through the ocean of knowledge the internet has to offer can be a painstaking task. Save yourself the time and anxiety of searching page after page, and find all the information you are looking for in the contents of this article. Below, we share the answer to the question, “How long does a nuclear stress test take?” as well as information on what it is, the procedure, and any key points about the test. 

 

What is a Nuclear Stress Test? 

Nuclear stress tests are a non-invasive tool used in nuclear cardiology to provide your physician with helpful information about your heart. Doctors use this diagnostic tool to evaluate the overall health of your heart and assess how it functions under stress conditions. But what can a nuclear stress test tell you about your heart? 

For starters, this diagnostic imaging technique assesses the blood flow to your heart and evaluates function. The data collected can then be used to detect coronary artery disease and determine if there are any blockages present in the arteries. If there are abnormalities found in the data from your test, it opens the door to creating the most comprehensive and effective treatment plan. 

 

The Procedure

Before the test, your care team gathers a complete medical history and lifestyle record, which sets boundaries for the exercise portion. The test is relatively straightforward.

During a nuclear stress test, your physician will insert an IV into the arm to deploy a substance called a radioactive tracer. In addition, they will fix a blood pressure cuff to your bicep to monitor your blood pressure. They will attach electrodes to your chest and, possibly, your legs and arms to record the rhythm and strength of your heart muscle. 

After your heart cells absorb the radioactive tracer, your physician will instruct you to lie on a table where they will take the first set of images. This creates a baseline for comparison for your physician. Up next is the exercise portion of the test.

For this part of the test, patients typically walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. At the peak of your heart rate, your physician will add more tracers to your IV, followed by the second set of images. When your doctor reviews the images, areas of the heart that are not getting enough blood flow will light up from the tracer injected through your IV. 

Should you feel discomfort at any time, you can stop exercising and inform your physician. It is common for patients to continue exercising until a predetermined goal has been achieved or aversive symptoms arise, such as:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Moderate to severe chest pain. 
  • Extreme shortness of breath
  • Atypically high or low BP

Following the test, your physician may ask you to lie down for a short period to assess your heartbeat and breathing. You will expel the tracer through your urine or stool, so drinking plenty of fluids will help flush the system of the chemical. 

 

Duration

A nuclear stress test is a more time-consuming endeavor. This diagnostic tool can take two or more hours to complete, so be sure to plan accordingly. While the test itself is timely, the benefits and data it provides are invaluable. 

Diagnostic testing is vital for both prevention and proactive treatment. The earlier your doctor detects problems, the more positive the outcome. If they uncover abnormalities, your healthcare team can help create a treatment plan that targets your specific condition.

 

Results

The data gathered will point to one of four results: typical blood flow during rest and exercise, typical blood flow during rest but not exercise, atypical blood flow during rest and exercise, or lack of blood flow in parts of the heart. Your care team will review your results and discuss any necessary next steps. If your test results are normal, you may not need more tests.

Those with a lack of blood flow to parts of the heart may need to undergo further testing, such as coronary angiography. This tool can show any blockages in the heart. If there are any severe blockages, your care team may advise that an angioplasty with stenting or coronary bypass graft surgery would be beneficial to tackle them.

 

Conclusion

A nuclear stress test is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool that can elevate heart rate and blood flow. If you have concerns about your heart, open a line of communication between you and your cardiologist. Being proactive in your health and well-being will pave the way to being and feeling your best.