Nuclear Medicine – Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test PREPARATION

If your Doctor gave you a requisition form, please bring that with you on the day of your axam, along with your health card.

• Arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please call and speak to a nuclear technologist prior to the day of your exam.

Day One (Rest Portion):

• Do not eat or drink anything 2 hours prior to your test.
• You will be able to eat and/or drink after certain portions of your test are completed. You may bring a snack with you.
• Bring a list of all current prescription medications.

Diabetics- Special instructions: (Rest Portion)

• Have a light neal at least 2 hours prior to the test.
• Bring a snack to your appointment.
• Take all of your diabetes medications, including insulin (as is appropriate with your light breakfast).
• It is important that your blood sugar is stable.
• Inform the technologist if you have a history of wheezing, astham, seizures, or chronic lung disease.
• Some medications must be discontinued up to 48 hours prior to your test- get the permission of your physician before withholding any medications.
• You will NOT be exercising on a treadmill for this test.

Day Two (Stress Portion):

• Refrain from consuming caffeine within 24 hours prior to your test.
• This includes:
  • Coffee and Tea (Decaffeinated as well)
  • All enery drinks
  • Pop
  • Chocolate
• This also includes any medications or supplements that may contain caffeine, such as:
  • Tylenol 1,2 & 3
  • Anacin
  • Excedrin
  • Caffedrine
  • CardioTea
  • Fioricet
  • Hycomine
  • Norgesic
  • Repan
  • Vivarin
• Do not take erectile dysfunction medications (e.g Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc.) 48 hours prior to the test.

Diabetics- Special instructions: (Stress Portion):

• Have a light meal at least 2 hours prior to the test
• Bring a snack to your appointment.
• Take all of your diabetes medications, including insulin (as is appropriate for your light breakfast)
• It is important that your blood sugar is stable.

Clothing:

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
• Please leave jewlery at home.
• Do not apply lotions, creams, or powders on the chest area the day of your test.
• If you use inhalers or any puffer medications, bring them with you the clinic.