You may need a nuclear stress test if you have signs or symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition. Your doctor may recommend a nuclear stress test to diagnose coronary artery disease or determine other treatment plans.

You can expect to be in the office for 1-2 hours.

• Do not smoke or eat a heavy meal before this test.
• Wear flat, comfortable shoes (no bedroom slippers or sandals) and loose, lightweight shorts or sweatpants. Walking or running shoes are best.
• Do not take Beta-Blocker medication day of test.

Tell your doctor if:

• You are taking any medicines.
• You are taking medicine for an erection problem (such as Viagra). You may need to take nitroglycerin during this test, which can cause a serious reaction if you have taken a medicine for an erection problem within the past 48 hours.
• You have had bleeding problems, or if you take aspirin or some other blood thinner.
• You have joint problems in your hips or legs that may make it hard for you to exercise.
• You have a heart valve problem.

• You may want to stretch your arm and leg muscles.
• You may have to remove certain jewelry.
• You will have a blood pressure cuff on your upper arm.
• Small pads or patches (electrodes) will be attached to your skin on your chest. 

Before you start the test, a nurse or technician inserts an IV line into your arm and injects the radiotracer (also called a radiopharmaceutical).

The radiotracer may feel cold when it's first injected into your arm. It takes a few minutes for your heart cells to absorb the radiotracer. Once it does, you'll lie still on a table or sit in a chair and have your first set of images taken while your heart is at rest.

You may be asked to breathe into a tube during the test to show how well you're able to breathe during exercise.

If you can't exercise, your doctor will inject a medication into your IV line that increases blood flow to your heart. Possible side effects may be similar to those caused by exercise, such as flushing or shortness of breath. You might get a headache.

If your nuclear test is combined with a traditional exercise stress test, you'll be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. You'll start slowly. The exercise gets more difficult as the test continues. You can use the railing on the treadmill for balance. Don't hang on tightly, as this may alter the results.

You'll continue exercising until your heart rate has reached a set target or you develop symptoms

After you stop exercising, you might be asked to stand still for several seconds and then lie down for a short while with the monitors in place. Your doctor can watch for any problems as your heart rate and breathing return to normal.

When the test is complete, you may return to normal activities unless your doctor tells you otherwise. The radioactive tracer will naturally leave your body in your urine or stool. Drink plenty of water to help flush the tracer out of your system.

No electricity passes through your body during the test. There is no danger of getting an electrical shock.

During the test, tell your doctor if:

• You have chest pain.
• You are very short of breath.
• You are lightheaded.
• You have other symptoms.