My new Cardiologist wants me to do a stress test for my AFIB . Since I can't do the treadmill test he wants me to do the 3 hour drug induced nuclear test. Although extremely rare, the U.S. Mayo Clinic says it's possible that a nuclear stress test could cause a heart attack. Even if your stress test results are normal, you may need additional tests as some blockages may not be picked up.
Is it worth the risks ?
Interesting points to read.
I did it not knowing how awful it was. I would do it again if there was a big reason to. I had a positive result which ended me up having a cardiac cath, which was totally fine. Very stressful.
There ‘s another stress test that was fed through an IV and lasted from start to finish, five minutes. I can’t remember the name but hospital said that it was 90% effective - good enough without undergoing the two more “stressful” tests.
I was told it would take 3 hours .
About 2 years ago after regular treadmill stress test which turned out inconclusive, I was prescribed a nuclear one. After searching online and reading about pros and cons of the nuclear stress testing I declined it because of significant radiation exposure. Here is the link which may help you to make decision
I had one, after being Diagnosed with AFib a couple of years ago to rule out other heart probs, it wasn’t as bad as I thought, and believe me I was stressed out before the test, but when all was said and done my heart was healthy except for the AFib, they do the test to make sure so they can prescribe various medications for the AFib, I’m sure you will be alright
I had a terrible experience with that test. Would never do it again. It wasn’t successful and I refused to repeat it.
I had this done and I had to come off all drugs to do it.
It was fine hard work but at no time did I feel unsafe you are with experts dont worry just do it
A friend of mine passed away while doing the nuclear test.
A cousin of mine passed away after having the treadmill type of test. I have had both tests. Would not repeat them. Bad reaction to Persantine in IV test and can't do treadmill anymore due to Achilles surgery
I did not like the nuclear test - I would not want to do it again personally, but I do have to say it is a quick test so time flies.
Why don’t you have a Cardiac CT it’s better than a stress test and shows any blockages. It’s very safe and you can take your usual medication prior to the test.
I had one done at the hospital. I don't understand why my cardiologist is not using it.
Thanks.
They just love ordering more tests !
I did the treadmill test up to the point when I felt enough is enough (which wasn't as far as they wanted)! You have to listen to your body, I probably wouldn't do it again and I would take some convincing to do the nuclear drug test. Not worth the risk. Also I don't like being railroaded into the test and then just before getting on the treadmill they said 'Oh can you sign this Disclaimer'
Exactly !
I had the nuclear test wouldn't do it again.
You and me and many others agree .
I absolutely hated the nuclear test and would do anything to not have that done again.
I've decided I'm not doing it. Frankly, I'm tired of jumping to every test. When I was in the hospital emerg for 3 days , I had so many scans I've lost track. I still don't have the hospital report so for all I know my Cardiologist who also still doesn't have the hospital report, may be sending me for more of the same tests.
I appreciate everyone's input on this. Thank you.
My myocardial perfusion test was carried out using the nuclear tracing material, and a drug induced stress that lasted about 5 minutes. Yes, it was an 'interesting' experience. I felt vaguely sick and went red in the face, then white. My heart ECG and blood pressure were under constant monitoring, and I was told that this is actually much safer than using a treadmill to achieve the same result.
I can see that there could well be the chance of a 'heart attack', but in a controlled environment like that, actually in the heart hospital, it should be safe enough. A treadmill would also raise the chances of the heart arresting.
The 'stress' part of it is only a short period during the whole test, which lasts a lot longer. It places the nuclear tracer material in the part of the heart that they want to be able to study. The period afterwards in the scanner I found to be more uncomfortable, TBH.
People don't seem to understand the concept of 'chance', or rather how they must tell you even if the increase in likelihood is almost vanishingly small.
I was told to prepare for 3 hours. At the same time I know of a friend that had a really bad time , unable to get his breath back for hours.
Oh no I got my appointment for nucleus test with exercise and the following week at rest. I wasn’t to worried, after reading these posts I am now anxious about it
I have done both, in all honesty I'd prefer to do the nuclear one if I had to do it again. It's really nothing to get anxious about
Oh thank you mikee, I am really concerned about these tests at the moment. Having an echocardiogram first followed by these nucleus tests
I worry about everything!
In the end I was worried for nothing.
The staff were brilliant. I didn't really feel my heart beating any faster than the walk up the stairs to the department. I did feel a bit flushed and when they injected the meds to speed up the heart I felt like I'd done a wee, (I hadn't!!)
All the best
Lol thank you mikee
When I had cardiac arrests last summer, they kept me in the hospital for a week and did all kinds of things. But I absolutely refused the stress tests -- the physical one on the treadmill and Especially the drug-induced one. I had a friend who had the latter, and she thought she was truly going to die, gasping for breath for ages, thought she was having a heart attack, etc -- and it was the worst experience of her life, she has never forgotten it. I refused to put myself through that. They already knew I had afib, I don't think I had to put myself through that. However, I know there are some cases when you must -- but if you must, I suggest the physical one on the treadmill if possible, rather than the drug-induced one. you can STOP the treadmill one anytime -- but once you have those drugs in you, you are stuck until they work their way out, for good or evil.
I'm in Canada where all is covered so the doctors just love to order tests such as this even if you had it done one month ago. I've had some 60 CT scans and dozens of other nuclear scans. When is enough enough ?
You must be in Ontario and NOT British Columbia. Here "all is not covered" and the waiting lists are prohibitive. Ablations are rationed. Also, cardiologists love to keep you as their patient rather than sending you to an EP. My friend is now 10 months persistent and her cardiologist is still not sending her to an EP. British Columbia would not spend that much money on you. Medically, my opinion is that you live in a better province.
Thanks for your response. Sorry, I wasn't aware BC doesn't cover this especially since it is a medical procedure and not a cosmetic want.
I did not reply accurately. CT scans and nuclear scans are covered , but not to the extent of "all" amount that you've had. 60 CT scans and "dozens" of other nuclear scans would not be covered because you would not be sent for that many. It was the quantity that I was referring to. Furthermore, to get these tests one has to wait months. You would not have been able to reach the number of tests you've had due to the amount of time you would have had to wait for each test.
With my GP not referring me for a whole year, with the cardiologist rather uninformed about AF, with the time just to see an EP, and with the extensive waiting time for an ablation even though I was persistent, I was losing it.
So, I booked myself into Bordeaux which took only one month to get an ablation. Luckily, I did that because I was told after my third ablation there (now in sinus rhythm for almost 7 months) that had I not gone there at 6 months persistent , I would not have been able to return to sinus. And, I paid for all three ablations myself, but they were worth every penny. ( so much for our "covered" social medicine )
For AF, British Columbia more than disappoints. There are no private AF clinics in BC because any private clinic is prohibited by the government. There has been an ongoing court case for three years to change that - any clinic, not just AF. ( There are a few such as knee replacement but they were almost shut down recently pending court decision.)
I was followed for 20 plus years for a rare chest tumor that cause me 2 major chest surgeries, removal of 12 portions of ribs and sternum cartilage etc. So rare that they sent sections of it to Bethesda Naval hospital in Maryland and to London England. That's why so many CT scans. I did wait 2 months or more in between.
Goodness what a difficult journey you've had. And, thank goodness for our socialized Canadian medical system that took care of you for so many years, and is still taking care of you. My harsh words dealt mainly with AF care, and specifically in B.C.
Yes it was was very rough. I thank God for giving me strength and for my dear late wife and my kids who stood by me along the way. At the same time my 8 year old son was in Toronto Sick Kids hospital with encephalitis and dozens of seizures every day.
Imagine being in a country with no health coverage.
Hello cuore, i live in BC also and it is absolutely rediculous how long you have to wait for tests or surgery. Throw covid into it and tests are nearly non existant. Even if you are in the hospital and doctors need you to have a ct or mri it probably will not happen for days or weeks. Mrhermyl i am so shocked at the speed people are getting testing done in Ontario. Here on the island a regular appt. for a ct or mri could take a year unless you can pay then it is a month.
Hi fellow British Columbian. I have been away from the computer for about two months which is the reason you did not get a reply from me. When I was researching for my first ablation, I did note that Ontario did deal with AF in a speedier fashion. Plus, currently they are even doing trials with Pulsed Electric Field. But, in B.C. it is a matter of avoiding hospitals for speedier and better results for AF. My conclusion, is that St. Pauls in Vancouver is the best although I was not sent there. In 2017, Vancouver General Hospital, where I was sent, was most inadequate (I believe they were just starting the department). Fifteen months after my third ablation (three caused by the remodelling of my heart by the "wait time" in ,persistent in B.C. ) in Bordeaux, France, I am still in sinus rhythm. That would not have happened in B.C. which has a long way to go for AF treatment. As an example, my friend was guided into permanent AF by her cardiologist who kept telling her it was too early to see an EP. I shudder when I think of all the AF victims in B.C.
Yes BC is bad but living on Vancouver Island and dealing with Island Health is an absolute nightmare. When they say BC is low on positive Covid cases it is because it takes days to get through than a week to get call back and two weeks to get a testing appt. The majority suffer it out. One of the testing stations that i know of even lost files of names and results.
You are right about St Pauls
I have had the nuclear stress test twice. Once many years ago and the second a few months ago. They have made vast improvements . The stressful part of the test is much shorter. The hospital I go to has a Doctor administer the test and you are hooked up to a monitor so they know exactly how your heart is reacting at all times. First you are given the tracer dye and then they scan. Next you are given the nuclear iv. it affects you immediately. You feel breathless and your heart beats as if you have been working out. This lasts about 5 minutes. Then you are given a Coke which reverses the process. Then you are scanned again.. In the whole 3 hr. period you are only uncomfortable for 5 minutes. This test gives information you can't get from other tests although it doesn't give all information. You might need other tests. For me it was a relief to know my heart is fine. My afib doesn't worry me as much . You can take a anti anxiety pill before the test, it doesn't affect the results. This test gives Doctors a base line to measure against in case you have issues in the future. Remember , this test may make you uncomfortable for 5 min. but it isn't painful or harmful. The treadmill test is a greater risk. Pam
Thank you Pam, just anxious as I don’t know what to expect. I have to go for two appointments one for stress and one at rest.
My heart rate is usually around 96 at the moment but can’t take bisopolol for two days before so god knows what it will be
When you go in for the test let them know you are anxious and they will treat you accordingly.
I wanted to reply and say that my recent experience with this kind of stress test was exactly as described above. While I was somewhat anxious going in, I had read about it and the hospital was very good at describing the exact procedure. The scanning parts took longer than the actual stress test, which only took 5 minutes or so as mentioned. While I am no medical researcher, from what I can read, it is as safe as -- or safer than -- a typical treadmill stress test. Take a good book to read while you wait between scanning and procedures as the whole thing takes about 3 hours. Good luck.
Thank you for your input.
Had nuclear test last spring. The three hours consisted mostly of nuclear imaging before and then after the actual test itself, which was uncomfortable for me, but better than the usual stress test.
Thank you for your input Mounder.
Hello
I had nuclear stress test a week ago it was ok, bit uncomfortable but not as bad as I thought it would be
I had the testing test then drug induced stress test, all in all around 2.5 hrs
I understand that it can show so much I haven’t had my results yet
Thank you.
I had the 'nulcear stress rest test' last week. No problems. I was there approximately 3 hrs. While I was given the med to induce stress (for 4 min), I was monitored by ECG and an EP, so no worries. Was given an antidote immediately after this stress test. Was in the scanner for about 6 min during the rest phase, and about 4 min during the stress phase.
No difficulties and no worries. I didn't realize that I should be concerned.
Equipment has improved a lot, so less radiation. Much safer.
I forgot to add that the reason I had my test, was to definitively rule out coronary artery disease (CAD), as flecainide is contraindicated if any CAD is present. I'm happy to know that my EP is thorough, and I didn't mind the test at all.
I have had a nuclear stress test at least twice. It is much better than the treadmill as I know that would bring on a fib. You are only under stress for such a short time and there is always someone with you. I would do it again if needed. Everyone at the hospital in Sheffield was wonderful.
so what they give you to speed up your heart for the test won't cause an afib episode?
I refused it.
I said, No thanks, as well. But I am a chicken. Once I had a treadmill test and was told I am exercise intolerant and that I have a murmur. Not sure what any of that means. Was 22 years ago. I’m 65.
I think that it's a bad idea, because it can cause a heart attack. It's up to you, but I won't do that. My doctor told me to pass a drug test cup from testcountry.com/pages/urine... and a stress test, and I refused. I have some problems with my heart, and I decided that it's better for me to not take the risk, it's too dangerous. But if you feel that you can do it, then why not
I was meant to have nuclear test but because I was in fast af I didn’t need to have chemicals as it was already under stress
For me the worst thing was not being able to take bisopolol and the claustrophobia
Nervous about stress test
Weaning off Flecainide
Scared about findings of coronary heart disease. 
Newly Diagnosed and Terrified!!
