Patient info : testing info
Cardiac Stress Tests (EKG, Echocardiographic, Nuclear)
Stress Tests
A Stress Test is performed to evaluate the circulation to your heart muscle. Evidence for inadequate blood flow may be revealed by monitoring the electrocardiogram as the demand for blood flow increases in response to exercise on a treadmill. Additional information may be obtained by making pictures of the contraction of the heart muscle before and after exercise with an ultrasonic machine [echocardiogram]. An alternative method involves the injection of a tracer dose of a radioactive substance [nuclear test] into the blood stream through an IV and making pictures of the distribution of the radioactivity in the heart before and after exercise.
Patients with limited ability to exercise may have the test performed with a medication, the effects of which are similar to exercise.
Test Information
- Please allow the following time for stress tests:
EKG Stress Test: 1hour
Echo Stress test: 1-2 hours
Nuclear: 2-3 hours - An IV will be necessary for nuclear and medication-simulated exercise
- Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers [no dresses please]
- Please do not apply lotions, creams or oils to the chest/stomach area
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time
Preparation Instructions
- Take your usual medications unless advised otherwise
- Morning appointment patients: may have clear juice liquids
- Afternoon patients: may have a light breakfast such as toast, crackers, bagel, clear juice
- Diabetics on oral diabetic pills should wait until after the test is completed to take their medication
- Diabetics on insulin may take ½ their regular dose and a liquid breakfast of apple juice and Jell-O.
- Patients for Nuclear Stress Tests should omit all nicotine, caffeinated as well as decaffeinated coffee and dairy products after midnight of the day prior to testing.
Echocardiogram
An ECHOCARDIOGRAM is a harmless and painless ultrasound examination of the heart. A small transducer [like a microphone] is moved about over the surface of the chest to make pictures of the beating heart to evaluate the heart muscle, the valves and blood flow.
Test Information
- No preparation is required
- No diet restrictions
- No medication restrictions
- Please do not apply lotions, creams or oils to the chest/stomach area
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time