CARDIOLITE STRESS TEST

Your physician has requested a stress test. This test will assist in determining if you have significant coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is narrowing of the arteries that supply blood flow to your heart muscle. These arteries may become narrowed or blocked by the build up of fatty materials. If this narrowing occurs it reduces the amount of oxygen and other nutrients the heart normally receives. This test will help your physician determine what treatment is best for you.

Description

This test has three parts: the resting scan, the stress test and the exercise scan. It takes approximately three (3) hours.

When you arrive, an IV will be placed in your arm by our technician and a small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected. You will then wait one hour while the tracer circulates in your blood stream. This tracer allows us to make an image of your heart and its circulatory system.

After one hour your rest scan will be taken. This scan takes about 15 min.

The second portion of the test involves completing an exercise stress test. If you cannot exercise, this portion of the test may be performed using a medication. When you reach your maximum exercise you will be injected with a second dose of the radioactive tracer. This portion of your test may take 30 minutes or more.

The third portion of the test involves taking another scan of your heart after exercise. This scan takes about 15 minutes. If a medication is used, you must wait at least 30 minutes before this scan can be taken.

Instructions for All Stress Tests