Cardiac Test 8. You will then return to the camera room to have a second 20 minute picture performed. You will be For the success of the scan and for your safety, tell Date: ______You have been scheduled for a Cardiac Stress Test, positioned under the same Gamma Camera and a the nurse or technologist if you which involves the use of a small amount of second set of pictures of your will be taken.  Are pregnant or breastfeeding (or if there is radioactive material. The level of radioactivity used 9. This entire procedure takes between 4 and 5 hours. any chance of pregnancy). Time: is extremely low and has no side effects. In some cases a separate set of images 24 hours  Have had a Cardiac Stress Test before (or ______later may be necessary. other tests pertaining to your symptoms). You will be positioned next to a special detector 10. Your referring physician will receive a written  Have had a , called a Gamma Camera. The camera does not report from the Cardiac Stress Test 48 hours after Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery. produce any radiation. It will be placed close to your your test is complete.  Are taking any medications. heart.  Have had a recent Barium Study or x-rays Patient Preparation: using contrast. Patient Information:  Are unable to hold your left arm above you Place: Please follow the following preparation prior to your head. Goshen Hospital 1. Please report to Goshen Hospital 15 minutes prior Cardiac Stress Test: 200 High Park Ave. to your scheduled test time. This time is to allow  No food or drink at least 4-6 hours before You may be asked about your overall health to aid in Goshen, IN 46526 for the registration process. Please bring your the exam. assessing your images. 574-364-2605 insurance cards.  No products containing 12 hours 2. After you are registered, a technologist will obtain before the exam (i.e. no decaffeinated or For Best Results: your pertinent medical history and an I.V. catheter regular coffee or tea, cola, chocolate, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO KEEP THIS will be placed in a vein in your arm or hand. You Anacin, Excedrin, etc.). Relax and remain as still as you can. This will help APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTRACT THE will receive an injection of a .  You MUST bring a list of prescription ensure that the images taken will be clear and will not NUCLEAR MEDICINE DEPARTMENT AT There is no side effect to the tracer injection; it medications and the medications have to be repeated. LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR merely lets us image your heart. themselves with you on the day of your APPOINTMENT AT 574-364-2605. 3. The tracer will be given 30-60 minutes to circulate. test. Scan Tips: 4. You will be positioned on your back and a camera  Medications will rotate around your heart. This scan will take o If you have questions concerning  Prepare for the test as instructed. After Your Scan: about 20 minutes. the stopping of your medications  Ask how long the test will take. After your scan, you may return to your normal 5. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the for this exam, PLEASE  Bring something you can do while waiting routine. The tracer will leave your body within a few Cardiac Stress Test begins. CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN. to have your scan. days. To hasten this process, drink extra water and 6. You will then enter a treadmill room where a nurse  If you have a history of or wheezing,  Be ready to talk about your health and any urinate frequently for 24 hours after your scan. Your will attach EKG electrodes to your chest and your please notify Nuclear personnel allergies you may have (it may be helpful to referring physician will receive a written report from pressure will be taken. When the at the time of your procedure. write down surgery dates, medications, etc). the Cardiac Stress Test 24-48 hours after your test is cardiologist arrives, you will exercise on a  Wear or bring comfortable clothing / shoes complete. treadmill until your target is reached (this to the exam as you will be asked to exercise

is determined by your age). You will be injected on a treadmill.

through the I.V. with a second radioactive tracer.  DO NOT wear an underwire bra or anything

This material allows us to see what your heart metal on your chest.

muscle looks like when you are being stressed.  IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

7. You will be taken to a waiting room and made REGARDING MEDICATION OR

comfortable (or you may leave the facility) 30 OTHER PREP, PLEASE CALL 574-364-

minutes to 1 hour. You will be encouraged to 2605.

drink some fluid. The waiting period allows the

tracer to leave your digestive system but to stay in your heart.

Patient Information Continued: Let the Technologist Know: My Appointment:

What is Nuclear Medicine? Notes:

200 High Park Ave. Nuclear Medicine is a medical specialty which uses safe, painless and cost-effective Goshen, IN 46526 techniques both to image the body and treat This patient information sheet was provided disease. Nuclear Medicine imaging is to you courtesy of the Goshen Hospital Nuclear Medicine Department unique in that it documents organ function Nuclear Medicine Department as part of our and structure in contrast to Diagnostic commitment to superior healthcare. This is Phone: 574-364-2605 Radiology which is based on anatomy. for informational purposes only and is not Fax: 574-364-2843 Nuclear Medicine allows your physician to intended as a substitute for discussion gather medical information which may between you and your physician. Please Information for our Nuclear otherwise be unavailable, require surgery, or consult with your physician or a member of Medicine Patients necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests. our Nuclear Medicine Department staff if you would like more information about Nuclear Medicine uses very small amounts specific procedures. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or of radioactive materials or breast feeding radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease. CARDIAC STRESS TEST TREADMILL Radiopharmaceuticals are substances that are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues. The radiopharmaceuticals used in

Nuclear Medicine emit gamma rays which What is a Cardiac Stress Test? can be detected externally by special types A Cardiac Stress Test is a special imaging test. of cameras called Gamma Cameras. These It is used to find heart problems, such as cameras work in conjunction with blockage in the coronary arteries, or heart attack. computers and are used to create images It is also used to check the efficiency of your which provide data and information about heart, or how well it pumps. A Cardiac Stress the area of the body being imaged. Test uses a small amount of an injected radioactive matter (tracer) and a camera to form an image. It is a type of Nuclear Medicine scan. Your doctor has decided that the value of this test outweighs any risk.

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