Nuclear Cardiology: Nuclear Cardiology:

38 Nuclear Cardiology, The Basics• If you have diabetes, eat normally (remember NO caffeine or decaf)and take your insulin.• Wear comfortable clothing and rubber sole shoesPRECAUTIONS:If you think you may be pregnant or if you are breast feeding, please tellyour doctor immediately.MEDICATIONS:Unless instructed by your doctor, continue to take your medication(s).If you are taking theophylline or any other asthma or emphysemamedication, please contact your doctor as it MAY need to bediscontinued 48 h before the test.WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT:• The two parts of the test consist of a STRESS study and a RESTstudy. The stress OR the rest study can be done first and willdepend on the type of exam you have been scheduled for.• The stress test will require that ECG leads be placed on your chest tomonitor your heart rate. A small dose of a radioactive tracer willbe injected through an IV in your arm and images of your heartwill be taken for approx 45 min.There are no side effects to the injection. However, if you think youare pregnant, please inform the technologist immediately.• The rest study will consist of another injection of the radioactivetracer through the IV and a second set of images to be taken ofyour heart.• There will be a break between the stress and rest portions of the test.The break ranges from 1 1/2 to 3 h depending on the type of studyyou are having. The technologist will tell you when you need toreturn and what restrictions, if any, there are for eating.• The test may be completed in one day OR over two days. If you arescheduled to have the test over two days, the stress is done on oneday and the rest is done on the other. It does not matter whichis done first.Please refer to the appointment section to see when you are scheduledto have your test.HOW DO YOU GET TEST RESULTS?A nuclear cardiologist will study all the images and ECGs, prepare areport, and send it to your physician. This may take one or two days.Your personal physician will discuss the results with you and whatthey mean for your health. If your study is abnormal, the cardiologistmay call your physician immediately.If you have any concerns or questions about your appointment, you can callthe Cardiology Stress Laboratory at 999-999-9999.