what is a nuclear stress test?

how long does it take and does someone need to go with me?

Not absolutely sure, however, I believe it is for the individual who is unable, physically, to endure the traditional treadmill stress test. The patient is injected with a substance that increases the heart rate....Also not sure about the amount of time necessary to complete or if you would need someone to assist you....It is probably best to call the doctor's office and ask them these questions for better clarity. Good luck. -karen-

Hey Samantha, From what I remember when I had my nuc. stress test, they hook you up to the heart machine and inject you with a radioisotope and a med that causes your heart to react as if you are on the treadmill doing a stress test. (very weird feeling, not doing anything, but breaking out in a sweat and turnning red all over) After that, you lye on a table with the nuc med disc looking thing over you and it looks at your heart. The 1st half of the exam took about 2 2 1-2 hrs, I think. You go back after about 3 or 4 hrs and lye on the table again for a bit. You shouldn't need to have anyone with you, but that will be up to you. Good luck!! Cynde

Mine was a 2 day test and I did not need anyone with me either day. The first day I went in and an iv was started. An isotope and medicine to accelerate my heart was injected into the iv. I then went into the testing room. I was hooked up to the ekg machine and a blood pressure cuff was attached to my arm. I slowly walked on the treadmill with a nurse on either side of me. They said this would help get the isotope moving through my body. Then the iv was taken out. I went out for a fatty meal and some caffiene. I came back about an hour later and then layed on a table not much bigger than an ironing board. The camera scans around your body and it only took about 5 - 10 minutes. This was taking pictures of my heart being active. I went in the next day and got the iv and the isotope injection and then went out for the fatty/caffiene meal. About an hour later I came back and the scan was done of my heart. This took pictures of it at rest. Again the scan only took about - 10 minutes. I actually left the cardio dr office and had my yearly mammogram done later that afternoon. Between having to get up early to get to the dr office and the wait time after the meals it was about 4 hour each day for a scan that lasted 5 - 10 minutes. A lot of women have a false positive on this test. The breast tissue puts a shadow in the pictures. I had had a previous bout of congestive heart failure 2 1/2 years earlier so my cardio dr had me undergo a heart catherization before giving me medical clearance. Hope this helps! Marie post op 12/02/03 lap rny, Dr Hart

thank you so much. i feel better and not so confused.