Should I take my medications the day of the test?
Guidelines: Check with your doctor about your medications. If you still have a question, call our nuclear cardiology nurses at 275-6169 during business hours. Typically, the following drugs may be stopped before a nuclear stress test, however, be sure to ask your doctor before stopping these drugs and follow his / her instructions:
Bring a list of all of your medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements that you routinely take, to the test appointment. Also bring with you to the test any pills you do not take the day of your test. If you have asthma: Your physician may tell you not to take theophylline (Theodur) for 24 - 48 hours before the test. Please bring your inhaler medication with you to the test. If you have diabetes: If you take insulin to control your blood sugar, your physician may tell you to take only half of your usual morning dose and to eat a light meal 4 hours before the test. If you take pills to control your blood sugar, do not take your medication until after the test is complete. Bring your diabetes medications with you so you can take it when the test is complete. Do not take your diabetes medication and skip a meal before the test.
What should I wear for the test?
Please wear comfortable clothes and walking or running shoes for the test.
How is the test performed? What should I expect to happen to me?
Before we start, you will be given a routine consent form to read and sign. Then, the test is done in three stages:
If you are pregnant or suspect that you might be, let your doctor or nurse know immediately. Nuclear Cardiology tests are not done if you are pregnant.
To schedule nuclear cardiology tests at URMC Cardiology, please call us at (585) 275-6169.
For advice on cardiac testing, contact Ronald G. Schwartz, M.D., M.S., Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac PET CT at 273-4340 (direct) or email ronald_schwartz@urmc.rochester.edu.