How is an Isotope or Nuclear Stress Test performed?
The test is actually divided into three parts: A treadmill stress test, imaging at rest, and imaging after exercise. There are two common types of isotope used in the USA. They are thallium and technetium (which are marketed under the Trade names “Cardiolite” and “Myoview”). Some laboratories use a “dual isotope” technique, where thallium is used for the resting images and technetium is used for the stress pictures. Depending upon the isotope and protocol for the laboratory, resting images may be obtained either before stress or two to four hours after stress. The preparation for the test and the treadmill procedure is similar to that described under the Regular Treadmill Stress Test section. In patients who are unable to complete a high level of exercise because of physical limitations, stress to the heart is provided by pharmaceutical or chemical stimulation. The patient is brought to the exercise laboratory where the heart rate and blood pressure are recorded at rest. Sticky electro
