Berger Health System - Caring for you, Caring for our Community

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Cardiolite Stress Test

What is a Cardiolite Stress Test?

A Cardiolite Stress Test is a nuclear medicine scan that helps diagnose coronary artery disease. The test will be done while you exercise. It uses a radioactive tracer and a special camera to produce images of the heart muscle. It can determine the areas of the heart that do not get enough blood supply as well as identify areas that have been damaged after a heart attack.

How do I get ready for the test?

Do not eat, drink or smoke after midnight the night before your test. Do not take any medications after midnight as well. If you are diabetic, please talk to your doctor. Do not eat or drink anything containing caffeine for 24 hours before your test. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on the treadmill. Please arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment and be sure to have a photo ID and your insurance information with you. If your physician gave you a written order please bring that with you as well. If you are or think that you might be pregnant, tell the Technologist before the test is started.

During the test

Upon arriving in the Nuclear Medicine department, you will have an IV started and a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) injected into your arm. You will be given a glass of water to drink and asked to wait for the tracer to reach the appropriate area. This could take up to one hour. Once that time is up the Technologist will assist you onto a table and place you in the proper position for the first set of images. Electrodes will then be placed on your chest to record your electrocardiogram or "EKG". This records the activity of your heart while you walk on a treadmill. (If you cannot exercise, special medications can be used to increase your heart rate.) A physician will monitor your heart and blood pressure during the exercise. After the exercise another set of images will be taken. The process will take approximately 2-3 hours depending on the patient.

After the test

You can resume normal activities after the test is complete. You may eat, drink and resume your usual medications. Drinking plenty of water will help to clear the tracer from your body. The results of your test will be sent to your physician.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any other questions or concerns you may call Berger Health System Radiology department at (740) 420-8248. You will be put in touch with a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who can answer your questions.