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WHAT IS A SPECT RADIONUCLIDE STRESS TEST?
A SPECT Radionuclide Stress Test is an examination during
which your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and
electrocardiogram are evaluated, along with actual imaging
of the heart muscle. Cardiolite and/or Thallium, a mild
radioactive substance given in small amounts, is what
allows us to obtain these images of your heart. There are
no side effects to either of these isotopes.
WHY IS A SPECT RADIONUCLIDE STRESS TEST NECESSARY?
A SPECT Radionuclide Stress Test is a more accurate way of
evaluating the condition of the heart muscle and its blood
supply.
WHO WILL DO THE TEST?
A cardiologist, a nuclear medicine technologist, and a
cardiac nurse or technologist will be present for the
test.
WHAT IS THE USUAL PROCEDURE?
Take
all of the medications as you normally would and bring a
list of those medications to the test. Avoid caffeine and
decaffeinated products 24 hours before the test. Before
your arrival, eat a light meal and avoid dairy products. When you arrive at Consultants In Cardiology, Inc.,
please report to the receptionist in order to complete
registration forms.
WHAT DOES THE EXAMINATION INCLUDE?
A brief cardiac history will be taken and an IV will be
started in your arm. A Radionuclide will be injected into
the IV and a 15 minute resting image of your heart muscle
will be taken 30 minutes following the injection.
Following the resting image, a simple skin preparation
will be done and electrodes applied to monitor your
heart. You will walk on a treadmill at increasing levels
of speed and grade. A Radionuclide will be injected into
the IV at peak level of exercise and you will need to walk
one minute longer. Post exercise we will have you rest
for approximately 30 minutes and a stress image will be
taken of your heart muscle. This image will take about 15
minutes. Please allow three hours for your total exam.
Your cooperation is vital to the successful completion of
this test. If you have any further questions, please feel
free to ask your nurse or physician.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Comfortable shoes or sneakers if possible. To ensure
modesty, women should wear loose slacks. Wear socks or
knee high hose; no pantyhose please. If you wear glasses,
please bring them, as you will need to read and sign a
consent form. Also,
please arrive 15 minutes early before your scheduled
appointment time, as you may have forms to fill
out.
Unless otherwise directed by your physician, do not take the
following medications the night before or
the morning of
the test:
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BETA BLOCKERS
INDERAL--PROPRANOLOL
BLOCADREN--TIMOLOL
LOPRESSOR—METOPROLOL—TOPROL XL
CORGARD--NADOLOL
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TENORMIN—ATENOLOL
VISKEN—PINDOLOL
NORMODYNE—LABETOLOL
SECTRAL—ACEBUTOLOL
ZEBETA—BISOPROLOL
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Take
all other medications as you normally would.
It is
necessary to restrict caffeine for 24 hours prior to a
procedure or test. Commonly used beverages and foods containing
caffeine would include:
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COFFEE
Brewed drip coffee
Brewed percolator coffee
Instant coffee
Decaffeinated brew coffee
Decaffeinated instant coffee |
TEA
Brewed
commercial tea
Brewed imported tea
Instant
tea
Iced
tea |
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FOOD
Cocoa
Chocolate milk
Milk chocolate
Dark semi-sweet chocolate
Baker’s chocolate
Chocolate syrup
Chocolate cake
Candy, chocolate
Chocolate ice cream
Chocolate pudding
Nut fudge brownie
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SOFT DRINKS
Coca-Cola
Cola, decaffeinated
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper, sugar free
Jolt Cola
Mellow Yellow
Mountain Dew
Mr. Pibb
Pepsi Cola
Pepsi, diet
Tab
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COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS CONTAINING CAFFEINE
Cafergot
Fiorinal
Wigraine (all forms)
Darvon
Synalgos-DC
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A
FEW OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS CONTAINING CAFFEINE
Anacin
Excedrin
NoDoz
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