Cardiac Stress Test – Myocardial perfusion SPECT in aid – A nuclear stress test

Description of nuclear stress test

Myocardial perfusion SPECT in aid – test, which uses a low dose radioactive agent for assessing cardiac function and blood flow. Because blood flow to the heart is measured by increasing the activity of the heart, This test is usually carried out with the help of physical exertion. If you can not do the exercises, the doctor may use a drug, which increases the activity of the heart, thus simulating exercises.

Reasons for a nuclear stress test

Cardiac stress test is used to find the previous damage to the heart and the risk of future damage.

The specific reasons for this test include:

• Determination of the patient's exposure to risk heart attack;
• Determination, Do coronary angiography, Angioplasty or cardiac surgery;
• Search areas of the heart muscle, have poor blood supply;
• Getting information about the pumping function of the heart;
• Determination of heart damage, that arose after a heart attack;
• Checking the success of angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting.

Possible complications of cardiac stress test

Complications may include:

• Chest pain;
• Irregular heart rhythm;
• Rarely – heart attack;
• Radiation Exposure.

During testing, the technical staff will closely watch for any signs of problems with the heart or lungs. They will be ready to take action, if complications arise.

How is the cardiac stress test?

Preparation for the procedure

Prior to testing, tell your doctor, if you have the disease, which restrict the exercise. If you can not do the exercises, your doctor may prescribe medication, to simulate the load. Tell your doctor, if you have following diseases:

• Bronchial asthma and chronic lung disease;
• Arthritis, especially in the hips and knees.

For 24-48 hours before the test, do not eat or drink foods and do not take drugs, following:

• Beverages, caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, Cola and other soft drinks);
• Products, caffeine, such as chocolate (including candies, glaze, cakes, cakes, biscuits, cocoa, chocolate milk);
• Painkillers, that contain caffeine;
• Products, which contain theophylline;
• Dipiridamol.

Read the labels and consult your doctor or pharmacist, For more information about the product, which you should avoid before the test.

You may be asked not to eat or drink for 4-8 hours before the test.

Wear loose clothing and low-heeled shoes with rubber soles or tennis shoes.

If you smoke, you must refrain from smoking for 1-2 days, or, least, Four hours before testing.

Tell your doctor, if you:

• Is allergic;
• You are taking any medications or dietary supplements;
• Had diabetes;
• For women – you are pregnant or may be pregnant;
• Breastfeed;
• You have prostheses or implants in the body.

Description of myocardial perfusion using SPECT

The test basically consists of two parts. The first part of the test is used to check the heart at rest.

The second part of the test under the name “stress” examines the heart after exercise or after taking the drug, which mimics the effect of exercise. The doctor will compare the activity of the heart during exercise and at rest to assess his health.

On the one hand is superimposed cuff blood pressure. An intravenous catheter is inserted into a vein in the other arm. Small, Round site (Electrodes ECG) are placed on the chest and connected to the electrocardiograph. This will allow the doctor to monitor your heart rhythm. Blood pressure and heart rate monitored before, during and after exercise.

The doctor or nurse injected into the bloodstream small amount of radioactive material. The radioactivity of these materials is very small. Radioactive isotopes accumulate in those parts of the heart, that have the best blood flow, and emit signals, which can be detected using a special camera. In pictures, obtained by the camera, see all parts of the heart, who do not get enough blood. Pictures are taken at rest and during exercise.

Exercise or "stress" part of the test is usually performed on a treadmill. You will begin to walk slowly on a treadmill. Every three minutes the speed gradually increases. When you do the exercises, your heart rate and blood pressure changes. At the peak load in the vein further injected a radioactive substance, and the load continues for a minute or two.

After 15-30 minutes after the “stress” you will be placed on a special table, which will take pictures of the heart.

If you are unable for any reason vyplnyat exercises, the doctor may use a drug, which mimics the effect of exercise on the heart. If you notice any changes, or feel, that any side effects, tell your doctor, which oversees testing.

If you're coronary heart disease, you may feel chest pain or stenokardiю during part of the test. A specialist will be nearby and may give you medication to reduce the symptoms or stop the test early on. Tell your doctor, If you have any symptoms of jaw pain, neck, arm or chest.

After a cardiac stress test

You will be able to go home.

If you get medication, which strengthens the heart, you may experience symptoms alarm, dizziness, nausea, tremor, or shortness of breath. Tell your doctor, if you have any of these symptoms. There is a possibility, that the effect of the drug can last up to 24 hours after the test.

How long will the cardiac stress test?

The entire test takes 3-5 hours. You can execute the entire test in one day, or testing can be divided into several days.

Cardiac Stress Test – Will it hurt?

Usually, this test should not be painful. If you have received medication, you may feel some discomfort – redness, pressure in the chest, pain or shortness of breath.

Results cardiac stress test

The doctor will compare the images of the heart, made dormant, with the image of the heart during stress. If your heart is relatively healthy, there should be no difference between the images (or very small differences), made during stress, and images at rest. If the heart arteries are partially blocked, photos, taken during stress will be different from the pictures alone.

Contact a physician after cardiac stress test

After testing, visit the doctor, If the following symptoms:

• Symptoms persist or worsen;
• There are other painful symptoms;
• You continue to experience side effects from medications, used during testing.