What's a nuclear stress test like? Is it safe?

I had a nuclear medicine stress test done after an abnormal ekg. I didn’t experience any side effects and I pray it goes well for you too.

I had a nuclear medicine stress test done two weeks ago after an abnormal EKG. I didn’t experience any side effects and I pray it goes well for you too. I had complained of chest pain after a little exhaustion like exercising which was what informed the investigations.

I've had 2 nuclear stress tests. It's over almost before you know what's happening. Caffeine is offered to you afterward and that takes care of the headache.
As explained to me, the nuclear stress test is better than the regular treadmill because it shows exactly what's going on with your heart and more precisely where a blockage/problem might be. The general treadmill may identify that there is a problem, but not where or the percentage of blockage. My cardiologist prefers the nuclear stress test.

I did this test at age 74 and had no problems with it. It is only scary because of the things you don't know they are gonna do. First, they will inject the nuclear stuff in your arm and then you sit and wait. They will do some x-ray like photos and then you sit and wait some more. They will do another ECG (normal) and send you home. The whole procedure does not take that long. It's the waiting between the diffferent parts of the tests that takes so much time. I am happy I did mine. They did find some odd things so we are ruling out one thing at a time. Best part of this proedure is, NO treadmill!
Hope yours turns out great.

Had a nuclear stress test approximately a year-and-a-half ago at age 76. Had no problems other than a strange taste in my mouth which I was warned about beforehand. It was over before I even realized they had started. I was informed that complications were minimal so I had absolutely no trepidation.

One test appears to be a nuclear stress test with the use of a treadmill, while the other is called, often, a chemical test without the use of the treadmill. The use if the treadmill produces the most useful results, and the other is less efficient/informative, and normally used when the patient can not perform on the treadmill for whatever reason. The patient's hear is "stressed" for a brief time mimicking the treadmill.
The injection is given at a time when you can go on for a limited time (usually 30 more seconds) before the patient stops the treadmill.

In another post, you may have learned my husband, a heart attack survivor, must go in for another procedure in the near future. His Cardiologist has asked for a stress test prior to the Neurosurgeon's performing the procedure (I assume another stent). My husband, though ambulatory, is unable to walk at a brisk pace. Ergo, a traditional treadmill stress test is off the table. The alternative? They are going to get his heart pumping fast by injecting something into him!!!! Has anybody heard of this? Does anyone know the name of the drug they will be injecting into my husband? Is this procedure common enough to have a history of safety, well controlled administration of this drug? I'm a bit alarmed by the idea... Many thanks for any and all info!

Hi @frenchie333 The thought of a chemically induced stress test does sound alarming. But they are done fairly routinely for people who are unable to participate in a usual stress test with the treadmill. A Dobutamine stress test is used in those cases instead of a physical stress test. The chemical produces the same effect on the heart rate as physical exercise, and heart function can be diagnosed with echocardiography.

I found a quick-read article that might be helpful.
https://www.medicalhealthtests.com/medical-tests/dobutamine-stress-test.html
While there are always some slight risks with any stress test, your husband has already faced a heart attack. This test will help him eliminate another. He’ll be well attended and monitored all during the procedure it takes around an hour to complete.
When is his test scheduled?

Hi Lori and @frenchie333, I have had 2 stress tests - and they were with the Dobutamine because I was too weak to do the treadmill test while being evaluated for my liver transplant. It was a first time test for me and those attending were very kind and could sense my fear. They explained that very step of the process and answered any questions. I felt completely safe because I was carefully monitored. I was alert and fully aware of the entire process and how closely I was being monitored to make the test safe for me. The attendants were very
observant and knew just how far to raise my heart rate to get the necessary information and to make it safe for me.
I even got to sit with my husband while waiting for the med to take effect. I think that was part of the hour. It was 13 yrs ago.

Hi Frenchie, I see you got 2 very helpful replies from @loribmt and @rosemarya. I can imagine that just hearing the words “chemically-induced stress” can send you into high anxiety mode. Sometimes this test is also referred to as the nuclear stress test. That probably doesn’t sound much better does it.

As others have said, this test was developed for people who are not well enough to take the treadmill version to observe one’s heart at full exertion. All heart stress tests are done under close observation and patient safety is the top priority.

I actually moved your post to this existing discussion called:
- What's a nuclear stress test like? Is it safe? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nuclear-medicine-stress-test/

I did this so you can see the previous posts from members asking many of the same questions you’re asking and the helpful replies they got from other other members who have had the test. I encourage you to read through the discussion and ask any questions that you may still have about what it is like and what to expect or anything.

Is your husband nervous about having the test?