Cardiolite Stress Test

Let's start with the basics. A Cardiolite stress test is a test that's completed while a person is exercising, most of the time on a treadmill. This test is able to take pictures of your heart and surrounding blood vessels in order to make the determination if exercise is causing any undue stress on the cardiac muscle. Since exercise naturally makes your heart work harder than it normally does, it's an easy way for a physician to measure how your heart is functioning while completing more strenuous activities. This type of a cardiac picture is also known as nuclear medicine, but not to worry. Nuclear medicine, a method of taking and reading photographs with alpha and beta particles and gamma rays, and a Cardiolite stress test are nothing to worry about. When done properly and by listening to instructions by the person performing the Cardiolite stress test, patients aren't harmed by these procedures.

A doctor might suggest a patient undergo a Cardiolite stress test after the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, a condition that is caused by narrow or blocked blood vessels caused by a multitude of medical conditions. The Cardiolite stress test will enable the physician to determine which areas of your heart aren't receiving enough blood supply and also which areas of the heart have received heart damage after a heart attack or by prolonged coronary artery disease. It's extremely important to tell your doctor of any medical conditions you're experiencing before taking a Cardiolite stress test, including pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Taking a Cardiolite stress test is nothing to be alarmed about, but you do need to follow a few instructions beforehand. You'll be asked not to eat or drink anything except water for about six hours before the Cardiolite stress test, and not to eat or drink anything with caffeine in it for at least twenty-four hours before the testing procedure. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. It's also important not to smoke or use tobacco products for at least six hours before your procedure. The rest is easy. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes for your Cardiolite stress test. Make sure that the person performing your Cardiolite stress test is aware of any meds or insulin that you need to take and ask if those doses need to be adjusted before, during, or after your test.

You'll be hooked up to an IV while taking the Cardiolite stress test, which involves the patient walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike. Tracer fluids will flow into your veins and show up on special photographs of your heart. This test lasts about ten to fifteen minutes and doesn't hurt. Shortly after you complete the exercise, you'll be asked to go to the Radiology department for a scan, which also doesn't hurt. After you're done, you can get back to your normal activities and eating habits. This Cardiolite stress test procedure is the best way for a doctor to determine the working condition of your heart muscle.