Pharmacologic With Radiopharmacologic Stress Testing
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is pharmacologic with radiopharmacologic stress testing?
- Pharmacologic with radiopharmacologic stress testing is also called a nuclear stress test. This test uses images to help measure blood flow to your heart muscle at rest and during stress. Stress makes the heart work harder to send more oxygen-rich blood to the body. There are times when arteries of the heart get blocked and its muscles get damaged. When this happens, the heart must work even harder to supply the body with enough blood.
- The nuclear stress test uses medicines as stressors to make the heart work just as it does when you exercise. Clear images of the blood vessels, muscles, and walls of the heart are taken using a radioactive substance (dye) and a special camera. These images may show where blockages or damage are located. Images taken while you are resting are compared with those during and after medicine is given. A nuclear stress test may show which parts of the heart are healthy and which are not.
Who may need a nuclear stress test? A nuclear stress test is usually done to anyone of the following:
- People who have heart-related signs and symptoms such as chest pain, or have had a heart attack, and are unable to do an exercise stress test. This may include the elderly and those who have other physical and mental conditions. Those with breathing and bone or joint problems may also have this test.
- People who are at high risk for heart problems, such as people who have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- People who have had heart surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
Why is a nuclear stress test needed? Your caregiver may ask you to have this test done to check further for a certain heart condition, and learn if you are at risk of a heart attack. This test shows the cause of your heart-related symptoms such as, chest pain, shortness of breath, and weakness. If you still have symptoms after taking medicine, you may need this test as soon as possible.
What medicines are used during a nuclear stress test? The medicine used for this test is safe, but may have unwanted effects such as chest pain, shaking, trouble breathing, or skin flushing. There are two groups of medicines that may be used for a nuclear stress test:
- Medicines working on the muscles: These medicines include dobutamine and arbutamine. They work by increasing the activity of the heart muscles. The contractions (pumping) of heart muscles are made stronger and faster to increase the heart rate. An increase in the heart rate will cause increased blood flow.
- Medicines working on the blood vessels: These medicines include dipyridamole and adenosine. They work directly on the blood vessels of the heart. The arteries dilate (widen) to allow more blood flow. More blood flowing in the blood vessels carries greater amounts of oxygen to the tissues of the body.
How is a nuclear stress test done? A nuclear stress testing can be done in a clinic, a caregiver's office, or in a hospital.
- An IV line is placed in a vein of the arm.
- Electrodes (sticky patches) are stuck 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 ECG monitor.
- A dose of the dye is injected while you are resting. Pictures are taken using a special camera.
- Your caregiver will decide on the type of medicine to be used for your test. The medicine is given slowly by a caregiver, or a pump may be used. ECG tracings will be recorded during and after the medicine has been given.
- A second dose of the dye will be given one minute after the medicine was given, and more pictures will be taken.
Who may not have a nuclear stress test?
- Pregnant women.
- Those having asthma attacks.
- Those with recent intake of medicine that contains dipyridamole in the last 24 hours. Dypiridamole is a blood thinner. Ask your caregiver for more information about medicines that may contain dipyridamole.
- Those who have taken foods with caffeine, such as chocolates, or drinks, such as coffee, tea, or sodas, within the last 12 hours.
- Those having a heart rate of 40 beats per minute or lower.
- Those having a systolic blood pressure reading of less than 90 millimeters mercury (mm HG). The systolic number is the top number of a blood pressure reading.
- Those having uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure more than 200/110 mm HG).
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.
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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