Cardiac Stress Tests

Stress tests can be used to test for heart disease. They are to determine the amount of stress your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle).

The stress tests offered at BMH include:

Treadmill Stress Test

This is also known as a regular cardiac stress test. You will be hooked up to a continuous EKG. Your heart rhythm will be monitored as you exercise as well as your blood pressure and exercise capacity. When you exercise your arteries open and we will watch for changes on the EKG that would indicate a risk for heart blockage.

Nuclear Stress Test (myocardial perfusion imaging)

This test can be performed in two ways:

• Treadmill–you will be asked to walk on a treadmill to get to your target heart rate, this will open up your heart arteries so we are able to take pictures of the blood flow to your heart muscle. Once you reach your target heart rate you will receive a small amount of a radio active tracer through an IV. After you have completed the treadmill exercise you will lie under a camera that creates computer generated images of the blood flow to your heart muscle. These are called your stress images. You will receive another small dose of the tracer and be asked to rest for 30-45 minutes. You will once again lie under the camera for images of the blood flow to your heart. These are known as your resting images. The test is now complete, we ask that you set aside 3 hours for the test.
• Pharmacological–if you are unable to use a treadmill, you will instead lie down on a stretcher and be given a medication called Regadenoson that will open up your heart arteries, so we can take pictures of the blood flow to your heart muscle. Once the Regadenoson is administered through an IV, you will receive a small about of a radio active tracer. You will then lie under a camera that creates a computer-generated image of the blood flow to your heart muscle. These are your stress images. You will receive another small dose of the tracer and be asked to rest for 30-45 minutes. You will once again lie under the camera for images of the blood flow to your heart. The test is now complete, we ask that you set aside 3 hours for the test.

If you are 250 pounds or greater a two-day nuclear stress test will be required. This is because you will require a larger dose of the radio active tracer. Your resting images will be done on day one. The next day you will return for your stress images. (Treadmill or Pharmacological prior)

Please review the getting ready form prior to this test.

REMINDER: no caffeine for 24 hours prior to nuclear stress tests