My cardiologist office only offers the standard Laying flat that you do two times for about 20 minutes lying flat with your head sticking out of the machine. I am very uncomfortable lying flat and have claustrophobia. A friend of mine shared that there is another option, and you have to search around for a cardiologist that might have it. It is much quicker (ten minutes) in the chair than the other apparatus.
I found a cardiologist in my area that was not part of my medical provider, but insurance covered the test per my anxiety. I just wanted to pass on that there are two options for the nuclear stress test if suggested by your cardiologist. If you would like to see the upright chair, google nuclear stess test upright and you will be able to find an image of it.
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Strawberryfields1
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This is a Nuclear Stress Test. You are injected with a radioactive dye, and then images are taken of your heart to see if there are any blockages or anomalies. Somewhat different from a regular walking stress test. They inject you with something that speeds up your heart for a minute or two. Feels like a truck hit you.
And it tests what? I had a heart stress test on exercise bike, to test my ejection fraction rate before open heart. My understanding from info provided was the seated test with injection was if you were unable to do bike test. Never heard anyone call it nuclear
Yes, it is a Nuclear Stress test which is a new option for people who dont want to be laying flat. They use Lexiscan. It cuts the time in half for camera imaging. Also, better for women because breast tissue when laying flat can cause some difficulty seeing some areas of the heart. Just wanted people to know that there is a newer option for taking the nuclear stress test.
I had a nuclear stress test where my heart rate was increased/stressed on a treadmill using the Bruce Protocol. If you didn't use the treadmill to raise your HR, then it would be called a chemical nuclesr stress test, where injected drugs raise your HR. At least that's the protocol in the US.
It is whatever you want to call it. I had mine in the US. The Doctor called it a Nuclear Stress Test, period. He said a treadmill cannot get your heart pumping fast enough, to be accurate.
Not trying to split hairs, but just want to point out to others than nuclear stress tests are often done on treadmills without IV chemicals to speed up the heart. Reference below.
"A chemical stress test is a common, safe, and effective test that can simulate the heart’s response to exercise. This test is commonly used when a standard exercise stress test isn’t an option."
Chemical or Pharmacological stress tests can be nuclear or non nuclear and are given when someone cannot get their heart rate high enough and long enough on a treadmill. I had to sign a release that chemicals might be given if the doctor felt we could not get a good result from the treadmill.
I had this done twice. But it is still a long test. First part you are injected, and your heart races like it is going to pop out of your chest. That is sitting in a chair as you said. Then there is about an hour break and the second part ( the long part ) takes place. I belive you are sitting up for that too as a machine goes back and forth, taking images of your heart. You must remain still the entire time.
Good accurate description of the test! I find it no problem to sit still in the "chair", as opposed to trying to breath in an MRI tube! P.S. I don't do cave exploration either! LOL!
Doc shared you sit in chair for images about 10-15 minutes which is better than the lying flat option for me. I wish I didnt have to do it at all. UG!!
I am like you! When told that my nuclear stress test would involve an MRI tube, I cancelled the test, and told them why. They said "No problem", just make appt at our other office and they do the upright scanning! Did what they said, test was a piece of cake (!!), and will be a standard for me!! No MRI's for me unless I'm unconcious!!
Same for me. Happy to hear you were offered the option. No one told me and my doc's office doesnt have it. Had to do some searching but found on that is under my insurance provdier in another medical group. They covered it because my own doc's office hadnt invested in the newer technology yet.
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