Nuclear Stress Testing

Vascular Cardiology located in Yonkers, Brewster, Bronx and Washington Heights, NY

About one in 20 people aged 20 and older have coronary artery disease (CAD). At Jain Cardiovascular in Brewster and Yonkers, New York, the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan and the Bedford Park neighborhood in the Bronx in New York City, board-certified endovascular and interventional cardiologist Sachin Kumar Amruthlal Jain, MD, FACC, RPVI, uses nuclear stress testing to diagnose CAD or determine the effectiveness of a current treatment. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.

Nuclear Stress Testing Q & A

What is nuclear stress testing?

A nuclear stress test is a type of diagnostic imaging that uses radioactive dye injected into your bloodstream to create detailed images of your heart. You complete this type of test before and after exercise to determine if you have damage to your heart (or surrounding tissues) and blood flow abnormalities.

Who is a candidate for nuclear stress testing?

Dr. Jain may suggest a nuclear stress test if you’ve completed a standard stress test, but the results weren’t clear. This low-risk procedure is also useful to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) or determine the underlying cause of chest pain or shortness of breath.

It can assess your risk factors for a heart attack, treat heart or blood vessel concerns, or assess the effectiveness of a current treatment plan.

How should I prepare for a nuclear stress test?

To prepare for a nuclear stress test, follow Dr. Jain’s instructions. He might ask you to avoid food and drinks (the morning of the scheduled procedure), smoking, caffeine, or certain medications. If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to your appointment. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and don’t apply creams, lotions, or oil to your skin the day of the test.

What happens during nuclear stress testing?

You receive a radioactive tracer intravenously before nuclear stress testing. Your specialist takes pictures of your heart at rest. They then establish safe exercise limits based on your usual exercise habits. They listen to your heart and lungs, place a blood pressure cuff on your arm, and stick patches on your chest to record your heartbeat.

During nuclear stress testing, images are taken of your heart while you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. If you aren't able to exercise, you can take medications instead to increase blood flow You might also breathe into a tube that helps assess your breathing efficiency.

Nuclear stress testing might last two hours or longer, depending on the specific type of test used.

What should I expect after nuclear stress testing?

After nuclear stress testing, you can rest. You can typically resume typical activities after a nuclear stress test. Drink plenty of water to flush the radiotracer from your system.

Dr. Jain will evaluate your test results to determine if you need additional diagnostic tests or treatments.

Schedule an appointment at Jain Cardiovascular by phone or online today to determine if you're a candidate for a nuclear stress test.