Hi, @stanway. The treadmill portions of the nuclear stress test can vary with each patient and according to the direction of the physician. Some patients may not be able to exercise on the treadmill and will require another medication to simulate the stress.
It’s been several years since I had the test, but I don’t recall it being longer than 10 or so minutes each session? Both times I do remember the tech calling ‘time’ because I could have kept going. So I must have reached the parameters they set. A friend, who has a heart issue, had the testing last week and said she could only handle about 3 minutes. She said the technician was looking for 80% of her max heart rate as the target. So it can really vary. And I’m not sure at all about what the intended BP increase should be. Again, I think this is dependent on each patients case.

Are you scheduled for a nuclear stress test?

@stanway I swore that I’d never have another one. It was very difficult but I passed with flying colors. I’m 77 and not aerobically fit. I was so out of breath at 4 minutes that I called UNCLE and it was stopped. I had reached the heart rate they were looking for so the test was meaningful for its intent. Then an immediate ultrasound on a table pushed up against the treadmill.
Know that there are no concessions in the difficulty of the speed or incline based on your age or condition. You will receive the identical test that a 20 something male marathoner would get. You’ll just reach your point of physical exhaustion sooner. The increase in speed and incline were rapid fire.
I have read that for those unable to exercise, there is an injection of meds which simulate exercise and elevate the heart rate. That sounds preferable to me.