Search Icon
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear stress test looks at blood flow to the heart during stress to help identify areas of decreased blood flow that could indicate blockages and other underlying heart conditions. This involves either an exercise stress test on a treadmill or a chemical stress test (Lexiscan).

Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear stress test looks at blood flow to the heart during stress to help identify areas of decreased blood flow that could indicate blockages and other underlying heart conditions. This involves either an exercise stress test on a treadmill or a chemical stress test (Lexiscan).

Nuclear Imaging

What is a Nuclear Stress Test?

A nuclear stress test is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to evaluate how well a patient's heart works during physical exertion and the blood flow to the heart. The patient will either walk on a treadmill, pedal a stationary bike, or receive medication that will elevate their heart rate while their heart rate and blood pressure are monitored. At peak exercise, a radioactive tracer is injected through an IV to check for areas of obstructed blood flow. 

Nuclear Imaging

The tracer travels through the bloodstream to the heart muscle. As the patient continues exercising for a short time, areas of the heart that receive adequate blood flow and oxygen will absorb the tracer, while areas with reduced blood supply due to blockages in the coronary arteries will show less uptake. After exercising, the patient lies down and undergoes  imaging, usually with a gamma camera, that picks up signals from the radioactive tracer in the heart muscle. Multiple images are taken, both at rest and after exercise, to compare blood flow.

Stress-induced differences in uptake patterns can identify blocked or narrowed arteries reducing blood supply to parts of the heart, providing key information on heart function under exertion to help diagnose conditions such as coronary artery disease.

NuclearStressTestResultsb

 

What is a Nuclear Stress Test?

A nuclear stress test is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to evaluate how well a patient's heart works during physical exertion and the blood flow to the heart. The patient will either walk on a treadmill, pedal a stationary bike, or receive medication that will elevate their heart rate while their heart rate and blood pressure are monitored. At peak exercise, a radioactive tracer is injected through an IV to check for areas of obstructed blood flow. 

The tracer travels through the bloodstream to the heart muscle. As the patient continues exercising for a short time, areas of the heart that receive adequate blood flow and oxygen will absorb the tracer, while areas with reduced blood supply due to blockages in the coronary arteries will show less uptake. After exercising, the patient lies down and undergoes  imaging, usually with a gamma camera, that picks up signals from the radioactive tracer in the heart muscle. Multiple images are taken, both at rest and after exercise, to compare blood flow.

Stress-induced differences in uptake patterns can identify blocked or narrowed arteries reducing blood supply to parts of the heart, providing key information on heart function under exertion to help diagnose conditions such as coronary artery disease.

NuclearStressTestResultsb

 

Benefits of Nuclear Stress Tests

Nuclear stress testing is a useful and noninvasive diagnostic tool to evaluate obstructive coronary disease in patients with cardiac symptoms.

Some of the key benefits of nuclear exercise stress tests include:

 

  • Noninvasive
    The test does not require surgery or instrumentation inside the body. The only invasive part is an IV line for the tracer.
  • Identifies areas of reduced blood flow
    Imaging shows which parts of the heart muscle aren't getting adequate blood supply during exercise, possibly due to blockages.
  • Evaluates the heart's pumping ability under stress
    Doctors can assess how well the heart performs when working hard.
  • Higher accuracy than ECG stress tests
    Nuclear imaging improves detection of coronary artery disease compared to ECG alone.
  • Helps determine future cardiac risk
    Results can indicate the chances for future events, such as a heart attack.
  • Guides treatment decisions
    Findings help guide whether further workup like a heart catheterization and/or medical management is needed.
  • Relatively low radiation exposure
    Newer protocols reduce radiation dose, making it a reasonably safe test.
  • Provides reassurance if test is normal
    A normal stress test is a good sign there is a low risk for significant coronary artery disease.

What to Expect Before, During, and After a Nuclear Stress Test

Before The Procedure

Treadmill Nuclear Stress Test:

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke six (6) hours prior to the test.
  • Do not consume caffeine twelve (12) hours prior.
  • Do not take any beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or nitrates one day, (24 hours), before the test unless otherwise instructed.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

The test takes 2 to 3 hours as your heart is made to work harder by exercising on a treadmill or by using a chemical agent if you are unable to walk rapidly.


Lexiscan Nuclear Stress Test: (For those who cannot walk rapidly on treadmill)

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke six (6) hours prior to the test – water is allowed.
  • Do not consume caffeine twelve (12) hours prior.
  • Do not take any theophylline or erectile dysfunction medications (24 hours) before the test unless otherwise instructed.
  • Wear comfortable clothing.

The test takes 2 to 3 hours as your heart is made to work harder by walking rapidly on a treadmill or using a chemical agent if you are unable to walk on a treadmill.

During The Procedure

For patients undergoing the exercise stress test, patients walk briskly on a treadmill, with the speed and incline increasing every 3 minutes. Blood pressure and ECG are continuously monitored. Physical symptoms are also noted. The target heart rate is usually 85% of the predicted maximum for the patient’s age. Once this rate is reached and the patient feels like they are getting close to their exercise limit, the radiotracer is injected through the IV. Patients continue to walk on the treadmill for about one minute afterward to allow circulation and uptake of the tracer. Afterwards, the patient  is scanned with a nuclear camera for imaging of the blood flow to the heart. Multiple images are taken of the heart at rest and after stress, which are later compared to identify any abnormalities.

For patients who cannot walk rapidly on a treadmill or with baseline ECG abnormalities that would be aggravated by activity, a medication called Lexiscan is infused through an IV to increase blood flow to the heart. The nuclear imaging radiotracer is then injected through the IV. Over the next several minutes, images of the heart are captured to see if there are any areas that show decreased blood flow, which could indicate blockages. Patients remain monitored while the pharmacological effects wear off.

After The Procedure

After the test, patients can resume their normal diet and medications.Lexiscan nuclear stress test patients may experience temporary chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or other sensations from the medication’s effects on the heart. Patients are advised to drink fluids to help clear any tracer from the body.

The test results will be sent and analyzed by your doctor, who will then discuss the results and next steps, if needed. 

Am I a Candidate for a Nuclear Stress Test?

Determining whether you are a candidate for a stress test depends on several factors. One of the biggest factors to consider is if a patient can walk safely on a treadmill. If the patient has balance problems or significant joint (back, knee, hip, ankle, etc) pain/injuries, please let your care team know.

 

A stress test is typically recommended for individuals who are suspected of having or are at risk of developing certain cardiovascular conditions. Although your provider will ultimately help determine if you are a good candidate for the test and if this test is right for you, here are some considerations to keep in mind and discuss with your care team. 

 

Good candidates may include:

 

  • Patients with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue with exertion that may indicate coronary artery disease.
  • Those with risk factors for heart disease, like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
  • Patients who have had an abnormal EKG treadmill stress test result. Nuclear imaging increases accuracy and provides more details.
  • Those who need to determine the cause of unexplained cardiomyopathy or heart failure symptoms, as the test assesses blood flow deficits.

 

You should NOT get a nuclear stress test if:

 

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding, due to potential radiation exposure risk to the fetus/infant.
  • You have a serious lung disease or limited exercise ability and cannot achieve the target heart rate on the treadmill.
  • You have a condition causing an inability to lie still under the scanner.
  • You have a known allergy/sensitivity to the radioactive tracer agents, although this is extremely rare.
  • You had another nuclear imaging study recently performed, including studies with other specialties.

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Testimonials

Photo Gallery

Discover awe-inspiring transformations in our "Before and After" gallery, showcasing the remarkable impact of cardiovascular surgery on our patients' health and well-being.
ALL
All

In Search of Care? Request a Consultation Today

Please fill out the form below to explore your options for care and get your questions answered:
care_img2

Take Control of Your Heart Health
with a Nuclear Stress Test

A nuclear exercise stress test helps identify patients who potentially have significant blockages in the arteries of the heart and can help identify which areas of the heart have been damaged or scarred. Request an appointment today to discuss if you are a good candidate for a nuclear exercise stress test. Our doctors will work with you to come up with a customized treatment plan to address your individual symptoms and risk factors. 
Schedule an Appointment

Meet Your Georgia
Cardiovascular Physicians

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care. We hire and empower the best cardiovascular doctors in the nation.

Find a Location

Explore the map below to see location options and find the clinic most convenient for you!