Pharmacologic Stress Testing

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pharmacologic stress testing is also called a chemical stress test. This test uses medicine that makes the heart work just as it does when you exercise. It is usually done on those who have heart-related symptoms but cannot do an exercise stress test. The test may show your caregiver how healthy your heart is, or it may find a heart disease. The medicine used will cause the heart to work harder and pump more oxygen-rich blood to the body. Any change in the heart activity, including the rate and rhythm, is seen and recorded.
  
  
• Medicine that works on the blood vessels or muscles of the heart is given during and after the test. This is done through an intravenous (IV) tubing inserted in a vein, usually in the arm. Your heart activity will be recorded using an electrocardiogram (ECG), and watched on a screen. After all of the medicine has been given, ECG tracings are taken again for several minutes. Having a pharmacologic stress test done may diagnose your condition, and prevent other medical problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Having a pharmacologic stress test has certain risks. Problems can happen during or after the test. You may have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). Your blood pressure may rise or fall and you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, and weak. You may have throbbing or extra heartbeats, chest pain, or a heart attack. Your caregiver will be there to help you with these problems. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about the test, your medicine, or care.

GETTING READY:

The week before your test:

• Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your stress test. Do not drive yourself home.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you are taking blood pressure medicines or medicines for your blood vessels. He may ask you to stop taking these at least 48 hours before your test.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver for special instructions about what you may eat and drink before your tests. If you use medicine to treat diabetes, your caregiver may have special instructions about using it before the tests. You may need to check your blood sugar more often before and after having your tests.
  
  
• If you are a female, tell your caregiver if you are or think that you might be pregnant.
  
  
• You may need to have some other tests done before the stress test. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The day of your test:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  
• What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of your procedure. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring all the medicines you are taking, including the pill bottles, with you to the hospital.
  
  
• Do not wear tight-fitting clothes on the day of your test. You may be asked to wear walking shoes or sneakers so that you are comfortable during the test.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

TREATMENT:

What will happen:

• You will be asked to change clothes and wear a gown. Electrodes (sticky patches) will be put on your chest. If you have hair on parts of your chest or back, it may need to be shaved to help the patches stick to your skin. The electrodes will be attached to wires that send the electrical activity of your heart to the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. Caregivers will look at the activity of your heart at rest.
  
  
• Medicine will be given slowly and constantly through an IV line placed in your arm. The activity of your heart will be watched during and after the medicine is given. Your blood pressure, and heart rate and rhythm will also be checked regularly. ECG tracings of your heart will be recorded after all of the medicine has been given. You may also need to do mild exercise on the treadmill for one minute while tracings are recorded.

After your test: Before you leave, a caregiver will remove the IV line in your arm. The electrodes in your chest are also removed. You can then get dressed. Ask for help if you need it. If you need to wait for test results, bring a friend or family member to wait with you. They can help support you during and after the test.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your test.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your test or medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have nausea (upset stomach).
  
  
• You have chest pain or discomfort that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back.
  
  
• You are sweating more than the usual or have trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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