How do they do a stress test lying down?

In the nuclear stress test with exercise, a radionuclide, such as thallium or technetium, is injected into a vein in the hand or arm. When the radionuclide has circulated through the blood stream, a gamma camera takes pictures of the heart while the patient is lying down. This is known as the “rest scan” of the heart.

What does a stress test with imaging show?

A nuclear stress test uses a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart. The test measures blood flow while you are at rest and during activity, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.

How long do you have to walk on a treadmill for a nuclear stress test?

Average walking time is between 6-9 minutes. When you feel you are near your peak of exercise, the nuclear medicine technologist will inject the nuclear imaging material again. You will be asked to continue walking on the treadmill for another one to two minutes.

Why do they numb your throat for a stress test?

You are also given medicine (local anesthetic) to numb your throat. This helps you feel more comfortable during the procedure. An exercise stress test measures how your heart deals with the stress of physical activity. You are connected by wires to an ECG monitor.

How are images taken from a stress test?

Images of the heart are acquired when the heart is in a baseline resting state and again after the heart has been exercised, or stressed. Images are taken using specialized cameras ( gamma or SPECT cameras) and radioactive tracers. Patients can be “stressed” by physical exercise, pharmacologically, or a combination of both.

What kind of imaging is used in cardiac stress test?

Adenosine or Dipyridamole Nuclear Stress Test: A nuclear imaging camera is used to view the blood flow to the heart at rest and with stress. In order for the nuclear camera to image your heart a very small amount of a radioactive tracer is given in an IV.

How is a stress test similar to an exercise stress test?

An imaging stress test, also called a nuclear or Sestimibi stress test, is similar to the exercise stress test but provides more information by using images to show the blood flow to the heart muscle.

What does a stress test tell you about your heart?

Stress test. Overview. A stress test, also called an exercise stress test, shows how your heart works during physical activity. Because exercise makes your heart pump harder and faster, an exercise stress test can reveal problems with blood flow within your heart.