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A myocardial perfusion stress test is a screening exam to help determine if a person is suffering from coronary artery disease (blockages in the tiny arteries that feed the heart).
 
Under normal everyday activities, a person with mild or moderate coronary artery disease may not experience any symptoms. But if that person becomes physically or emotionally stressed, the heart may demand more blood than the coronary arteries are able to supply. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms.

Preparing for Your Exam
You must have nothing to eat or drink for at least 4 hours before your appointment time. If your exam is scheduled for the afternoon, you may eat a light breakfast.

Bring a comfortable pair of shoes for the exercise portion of the examination. (If you are physically unable to exercise, you may be given a drug that simulates the effects of exercise.

Certain medications should be stopped until the exam is completed. Your doctor can let you know which medications you should stop.

What Will the Test Be Like?
You should plan on being in the nuclear medicine department for two-and-a-half to three hours to complete the examination.

Let the technologist know if you're pregnant or you think you might be.

The goal of the myocardial perfusion stress test is to measure how much blood the heart receives when it's beating at a "normal" resting rate and how much it receives when it's beating at a faster rate, such as during exercise or under stress.

During the entire exam, you will be closely monitored through a heart monitor, blood pressure cuff and by direct observation. If you require assistance during the exercise portion of the exam, our staff will be close by to help.

The resting part of the exam is done first. After arriving in the nuclear medicine department, an IV will be placed in a vein in your arm, and a chemical known as a "tracer" will be injected. The tracer will need to circulate for 25 to 35 minutes, and then a special camera will be used to take a series of images of your heart. The tracer shows up on these images and is used to determine the level of blood supply to the heart.

After the resting scan you'll be prepared for the exercise, or stress, portion of the exam. There are two ways through which the cardiology staff may increase your heart rate: by having you exercise on a treadmill or by using a drug that simulates the effects of exercise.

Whichever method is used, once your heart rate reaches a certain level, a second dose of the tracer liquid will be administered. After a 15 to 30 minute circulation period, a second series of images of your heart will be made.

After Your Exam
When the second scan of your heart is complete, you may leave the hospital and return to your normal activities. The results of your test will be sent to your doctor.

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