1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

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

Posted by Gail, Alumni Mentor @baxtersmom, May 17, 2017

I had an EKG and my doctor dictated that it showed the following: Sinus Rhythm 79 PVC Inferior Lateral ST Depression. My doctor has ordered a nuclear medicine stress test because I have some back problems and I was concerned about doing the treadmill stress test. I guess I have two questions/concerns and wondered if anyone might shed some light on either of them. First, what does this dictation that my doctor put in my record mean about my EKG? I have had a benign PVC all of my life but don't know if this is the same thing. I had been feeling like my chest was heavy and very tired, a little breathless sometimes which is why I went in to the cardiologist. Second, has anyone had a nuclear medicine stress test? I am concerned about the side effects and not being able to control them. I read about some of them and saw that the FDA had issued a warning about risks with nuclear medicine stress tests. Then I saw on the Mayo Clinic site that the nuclear medicine test may be more accurate and if the regular treadmill one isn't conclusive, I might end up having to do the nuclear one anyway. It was an ECO stress test I had many years ago when the benign PVCs were discovered. I am really afraid of doing the nuclear test. Please guide me if you can.

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frenchie333 | @frenchie333 | Sep 18, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @frenchie333 The thought of a chemically induced stress test does sound alarming. But they are..." + (show)
@loribmt

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?

Jump to this post

God bless, Lori! I will click on the link after I send this "thank you!" Truly grateful.

As to scheduling, I believe it's next Monday. Forgive my inability to give exact info. There's been some back and forth (telephone tag and the like).

I do know my husband was told to block out a total of four hours. So maybe the other three hours include getting him prepped beforehand and continuing to monitor him afterward.

We also need to find out if I need to be there--to get him home. A year ago, my presence was mandatory when he was getting a different diagnostic with a sedative before the injection of contract dye and scanning. Took quite some time for that sedative to wear off and he needed to be taken home by me. Don't recall if he had an angiogram or CT scan that time.

Well, time for me to click on that link! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wish I could give you more than a virtual hug!

REPLY
1 reply
frenchie333 | @frenchie333 | Sep 18, 2022
In reply to @rosemarya "Hi Lori and @frenchie333, I have had 2 stress tests - and they were with the..." + (show)
@rosemarya

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.

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Awesome, Rosemary! So helpful to learn from your experience. Some may consider the info "anecdotal" but reality, truth, your experience mean the world to me.

I'm hoping I will be permitted to be there, to be close by. Some hospitals still have restrictions. I know in the past, my presence was mandatory since the hospital had to know someone could get my husband home. It was an entirely different diagnostic test which required sedation. Even after the sedative wore off, he was in no position to drive!

Many thanks, Rosemary! Oh, forgive the repetitive info! I've been juggling a great deal today.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Sep 18, 2022
In reply to @frenchie333 "God bless, Lori! I will click on the link after I send this "thank you!" Truly..." + (show)
@frenchie333

God bless, Lori! I will click on the link after I send this "thank you!" Truly grateful.

As to scheduling, I believe it's next Monday. Forgive my inability to give exact info. There's been some back and forth (telephone tag and the like).

I do know my husband was told to block out a total of four hours. So maybe the other three hours include getting him prepped beforehand and continuing to monitor him afterward.

We also need to find out if I need to be there--to get him home. A year ago, my presence was mandatory when he was getting a different diagnostic with a sedative before the injection of contract dye and scanning. Took quite some time for that sedative to wear off and he needed to be taken home by me. Don't recall if he had an angiogram or CT scan that time.

Well, time for me to click on that link! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wish I could give you more than a virtual hug!

Jump to this post

You’re so welcome and I’m really happy I could ease your mind about the test. I’ve had this done and honestly, beforehand, my mind conjured up anything worse than the reality. 🙂
The techs who were with me were just amazing and explained everything. I don’t remember the actual procedure taking more than an hour or so but there was so much going on around me at the time it would be difficult to actually separate the timing. It takes as long as it takes…don’t read anything into the length of time.
Anyway, it’s a tried and tested means of getting a good read on the activity and flow of the heart. So I think you can exhale now.
How are you doing?? Being a caregiver is an incredibly difficult job. As patients, we’re just along for the ride with little time to worry or get anxious. But caregivers, wowzee, they take the brunt of everything! I watched my husband age during all my drama. So hang in there and take time to decompress your anxiety too. It sounds like your husband has great doctors and they’re taking excellent care to ensure his health.
Let me know how his test went, ok? 🙂

REPLY
1 reply
frenchie333 | @frenchie333 | Sep 18, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "You’re so welcome and I’m really happy I could ease your mind about the test. I’ve..." + (show)
@loribmt

You’re so welcome and I’m really happy I could ease your mind about the test. I’ve had this done and honestly, beforehand, my mind conjured up anything worse than the reality. 🙂
The techs who were with me were just amazing and explained everything. I don’t remember the actual procedure taking more than an hour or so but there was so much going on around me at the time it would be difficult to actually separate the timing. It takes as long as it takes…don’t read anything into the length of time.
Anyway, it’s a tried and tested means of getting a good read on the activity and flow of the heart. So I think you can exhale now.
How are you doing?? Being a caregiver is an incredibly difficult job. As patients, we’re just along for the ride with little time to worry or get anxious. But caregivers, wowzee, they take the brunt of everything! I watched my husband age during all my drama. So hang in there and take time to decompress your anxiety too. It sounds like your husband has great doctors and they’re taking excellent care to ensure his health.
Let me know how his test went, ok? 🙂

Jump to this post

Thanks for the broad perspective. I've been so focused on him that I do neglect myself. I know the Mayo Clinic has a forum for caregivers and I could probably benefit from reading those posts. I will say my faith has kept me strong through dire emergencies. My husband went Code Blue SEVEN times on November 8, 2019!!! In a coma for 2-1/2 weeks. In a hospital bed non-stop for 2-1/2 months followed by months of physical, occupational and cognitive therapy. I have no family close by and my husband's family, well, let's just say... No, I won't go there. Point being, I was very much alone, lived at the hospital--even found sleeping on the floor next to my husband's hospital bed. I experienced the peace that surpasses all understanding and learned the Lord Himself helps me carry every cross. The Holy Spirit guided me to do the ONE NEXT thing. Juggling much, I was not overwhelmed because He gave me the wisdom to do the ONE task that needed to be done, the ONE thing that needed to be done NEXT.

As to me? I've never made the effort to be counted among the VAERS but after the Pfizer double jab, I suffered EIGHTEEN MONTHS of chronic diarrhea up to nine episodes a day, dropped to an alarming 115 pounds. Loss of electrolytes resulted in foot and leg cramps. Other nutrients were determined to be in the "deficient" category: B3, E, Calcium, Sodium, Magnesium and "slightly deficient" in Choline. I'm doing what I can to get those essentials back up to normal levels. As you can imagine, I now suffer from self-diagnosed A-fib. Why self-diagnosed? I do not have a doctor. How do I know about my deficiencies if I don't have a doctor? I sent a hair sample to Advanced Food Intolerance Labs. And thanks to another forum, Inspire.com, I learned of DAO enzyme which has calmed my GI tract down. I've been normal for a month now and the A-fib is much better. Oh, as of this morning, I'm up to 119 pounds. Goal? 127.

Learned via a compilation of data from studies around the globe that there has been a worldwide spike in "food hypersensitivity" due to the Wu Flu vax. And, yes, Pfizer was at the top of the list. Until the Pfizer double jab, my strictly cutaneous mastocytosis (I am Case #138 ever diagnosed in America) was 100% under control with OTC antihistamines (an H1 Blocker and an H2 Blocker).

I apologize. All of the above is off topic! But your point is well taken. I must take care of me so I can take care of him! And being without a doctor, these forums have been a Godsend! BTW, I steer others to Mayo Clinic!

REPLY
ilean | @ilean | Sep 19, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @frenchie333 The thought of a chemically induced stress test does sound alarming. But they are..." + (show)
@loribmt

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?

Jump to this post

I had a nuclear stress test this past summer. I have had a treadmill test before as well.
I am hesitant to put chemicals in my body, however I had no side effects and I think I got a clearer picture of my heart from the nuclear stress test I would do it again if necessary!

REPLY
sally12345 | @sally12345 | Feb 8, 2023

I have csvd. . A lot of heart palpitations , heaviness in chest, aching, short of breath. I have been sent to a cardiac clinic , did the echo and the stress test , failed it. Now they want me to do nuclear . I am also very afraid of it, I have heard it can cause your condition to worsen even have a heart attack. I don't think we are alone with this thought.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Feb 10, 2023
In reply to @sally12345 "I have csvd. . A lot of heart palpitations , heaviness in chest, aching, short of..." + (show)
@sally12345

I have csvd. . A lot of heart palpitations , heaviness in chest, aching, short of breath. I have been sent to a cardiac clinic , did the echo and the stress test , failed it. Now they want me to do nuclear . I am also very afraid of it, I have heard it can cause your condition to worsen even have a heart attack. I don't think we are alone with this thought.

Jump to this post

Hi Sally, I can understand your concern as I also was concerned leading up to one I just had. I see you said you failed one, May I ask which type you failed? Also I know the goal is to raise your heart rate to what is called 85 % of what's normal for your age. In my case at 63 they wanted to get to 133 BPM and we succeeded with the chemical version. So for me with a history of arrhythmias with my old heart ( i am a heart transplant paient) I was pretty stressed going in. But with the completion of the test it gave me more confidence. I also was in the right place to have an issue if it happened. So, was the reason your first test was unsuccessful because they could not reach the level they wanted too?

REPLY
1 reply
sally12345 | @sally12345 | Feb 11, 2023
In reply to @danab "Hi Sally, I can understand your concern as I also was concerned leading up to one..." + (show)
@danab

Hi Sally, I can understand your concern as I also was concerned leading up to one I just had. I see you said you failed one, May I ask which type you failed? Also I know the goal is to raise your heart rate to what is called 85 % of what's normal for your age. In my case at 63 they wanted to get to 133 BPM and we succeeded with the chemical version. So for me with a history of arrhythmias with my old heart ( i am a heart transplant paient) I was pretty stressed going in. But with the completion of the test it gave me more confidence. I also was in the right place to have an issue if it happened. So, was the reason your first test was unsuccessful because they could not reach the level they wanted too?

Jump to this post

Hi, I did an echo and a stress test. I couldn't reach my goal it was because of my age 62, was 156.. I was at 112 lots of palpitations and heaviness in my chest , short of bre ath. I have a very erratic heart rate and I am nervous this will cause a heart attack . I have booked my appointment and changed it now a couple times....I'm definitely not the person I was walking miles at a time. But I can't get over my fear. I am on a no med. Station and aspirin a day....

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Feb 14, 2023
In reply to @sally12345 "Hi, I did an echo and a stress test. I couldn't reach my goal it was..." + (show)
@sally12345

Hi, I did an echo and a stress test. I couldn't reach my goal it was because of my age 62, was 156.. I was at 112 lots of palpitations and heaviness in my chest , short of bre ath. I have a very erratic heart rate and I am nervous this will cause a heart attack . I have booked my appointment and changed it now a couple times....I'm definitely not the person I was walking miles at a time. But I can't get over my fear. I am on a no med. Station and aspirin a day....

Jump to this post

I can understand, I'm not sure the difference as I only knew of the treadmill or chemical. I thought Nuclear and chemical were the same basically. But I have looked it up and I now see the difference. The article I read made it sound better to identify issues where a regular one didn't get the results expected. My thoughts and prayers are with you that you can get thru this test. Please let me know how it works out. Here is the article I read that may help. Basically issues are very rare , I always figure I would rather find a problem in a controlled setting than by myself.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nuclear-stress-test/about/pac-20385231
I received my heart transplant because my Heart would go into life threatening type arrhythmias, not the normal ones anyone can get like it mentions, and I had a pacemaker with defibulator to shock me back in rhythm. I'm saying this to realize your in pretty good shape as we are the same age. No meds and only asprin your doing great. So hang in their the information they find my find an easy problem to fix before more radical treatments are needed. I really hope this helps as I'm very familiar with anxiety and it's no fun. So when I used to get anxious I would tell myself, Sometimes out load alone in the car, to calm down. That actually worked like I'm ordering myself to calm down. Pretty funny don't you think. 🤣
Take care and if I can help further please ask.
🙌

REPLY
ilean | @ilean | Feb 15, 2023

I had a nuclear stress test this past summer and it gave much better results than the treadmill stress test. I would highly recommend!

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