Cardiac Stress Test Preparation

All of our tests are performed early in the morning with a doctor present. We offer the following tests:

• Routine Treadmill
• Sestamibi (Nuclear) Treadmill
• Sestamibi (Nuclear) Persantine
• Sestamibi (Nuclear) Dobutamine
• Sestamibi (Nuclear) Adenosine

The first two involve exercising on a treadmill and the second three substitute medication with the treadmill to stimulate the same effect as exercising. Only your doctor can decide which test is best for you. Below are some specific instructions and information about each test.

Routine Treadmill

Do not eat for 4 hours prior to your test. You will need to wear comfortable shoes and clothing to walk the treadmill. Several electrodes will be placed on your chest. These electrodes are attached to an EKG machine that allows the doctor to monitor your heart rate and rhythm while you exercise. Expect to exercise for about ten minutes. Test time is approximately one hour.

Sestambi (Nuclear) Treadmill

Two-day test coordinated with Nuclear Medicine.

Day 1 - Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior. You will need to wear comfortable shoes and clothing to walk the treadmill. Several electrodes will be placed on your chest and an IV line placed in your arm. The electrodes are attached to an EKG machine that allows the doctor to monitor your heart rate and rhythm while you exercise. Through the IV you will receive an injection of Cardiolite, the nuclear medicine imaging agent. Expect to exercise for about ten minutes. When the exercise portion is complete you will be unhooked from the EKG machine and asked to wait for about an hour. After the hour, you will be scanned in Nuclear Medicine for about 45 minutes. total test time is three and a half hours.

Day 2 - Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior. you will need to report directly to Radiology where you will receive an injection of Cardiolite, the nuclear medicine imaging agent, and wait one hour. After the hour you will be scanned for 45 minutes. total test time is two hours.

Sestamibi (Nuclear) Persantine, Adenosine and Dobutamine

Day 1 - Same preparations apply as the Sestamibi Treadmill. Instead of walking on the treadmill, you will lie down on a table and receive an injection of either Persantine or Dobutamine, which will give you the same effect as exercising. You will be monitored by an EKG machine the same way as mentioned in the Sestamibi treadmill Stress test. The test time is also the same.

Day 2 - Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior. you will need to report directly to Radiology where you will receive an injection of Cardiolite, the nuclear medicine imaging agent, and wait one hour. After the hour you will be scanned for approximately 20 minutes. total test time is two hours.

Please note that Day 1 and Day 2 should be completed within one week of each other.

Ask your doctor ordering the stress test whether you should take your daily medications the morning of the test.

Please arrive thirty minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to register in the front lobby.

If you need to change your appointment, or have any questions, please call Central Scheduling at 860-364-4468 between the hours of 8:30A and 5:30P Monday through Friday.