Stress Testing

Nuclear Stress Testing / Pharmacologic Stress Testing

During nuclear stress testing, your blood pressure and EKG readings are monitored while you walk or run on a treadmill. If you are unable to exercise, your doctor may order a pharmacologic stress test. During a pharmacologic stress test, a medicine is injected through an intravenous line (IV) into your bloodstream to make your heart work harder, as if you are exercising on a treadmill. After the stress portion of your test is done (either walking or pharmacologic), nuclear heart scanning is done in which a radioactive tracer is injected into your bloodstream, and a special camera records images that can detect potential areas of reduced blood flow through your heart arteries.

Click here to view/print nuclear stress test patient instructions

Stress Echocardiography

During this test, an echocardiogram is done both before and after your heart is stressed by having you exercise. A stress echocardiogram is usually done to find out if you have decreased blood flow to your heart (coronary artery disease).

Click here to view/print stress echocardiogram patient instructions