Cardiopulmonary: Cardiolite® Stress Testing

What Is a Cardiolite® Stress Test?

A Cardiolite® stress test is a type of nuclear stress test that shows how well blood flows to your heart muscle. It may also be called myocardial perfusion imaging or an MPI stress test.

During the test, a small amount of Cardiolite® imaging tracer is administered via IV. A special camera takes pictures of your heart at rest and again while your heart is working harder. These images help your doctor see if part of your heart may not be getting enough blood.

This is important because narrowed or blocked coronary arteries can limit blood flow to the heart, a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD). The stress part of the test may be done by walking on a treadmill or by receiving medication that makes your heart act as if it is exercising.

This test is available through the cardiopulmonary department at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, where our care team is here to help you better understand your heart health and next steps. 

Download a Brochure  Become A Patient

Why Might I Need a Nuclear Stress Test?

Your doctor may order an MPI stress test to get a better idea about how your heart is working.

A Cardiolite® stress test may be used to help:

• Find signs of coronary artery disease
• Check blood flow to your heart muscle
• Look for areas of the heart that may not be getting enough blood
• See if chest pain may be related to your heart
• Check how well your heart is pumping
• Help decide if more testing is needed
• Guide your care plan or treatment
• Check your heart after a heart attack, stent, bypass surgery, or other heart care

A nuclear cardiac stress test can also help your doctor decide if a more invasive test, such as cardiac catheterization, may be needed. Nuclear stress testing can help show how well blood flows to the heart at rest and after stress. 

A decrease in blood flow on the stress images may indicate a blockage in one or more of the heart’s arteries. 

What Symptoms Can a Cardiolite® Stress Test Help Evaluate?

Your provider may recommend Cardiolite® stress testing if you have symptoms that could be linked to a heart problem.

These symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or chest pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Unusual tiredness with activity
• Pain that spreads to the arm, neck, jaw, back, or shoulder

Some people have coronary artery disease without clear symptoms. A stress test may help find heart blood flow problems that are not easy to see during a regular exam.

Who May Need Cardiolite® Stress Testing?

Your doctor may suggest this test if you have symptoms or risk factors for heart disease.

Risk factors may include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking or tobacco use
• A family history of heart disease
• A personal history of heart disease
• Past heart attack
• Prior stent or bypass surgery
• Being less active than usual because of heart symptoms

Your doctor will review your complete health history before deciding whether this test is right for you.

What Does Cardiolite® Stress Test Imaging Show?

A Cardiolite® Stress Test shows how well blood flows through your heart muscle. 

The test can help answer important questions, such as:

• Is your heart getting enough blood?
• Is there a possible blockage in a coronary artery?
• Do you have heart muscle damage from a past heart attack?
• Is your current heart treatment working?
• Do you need more testing?
• Is your heart healthy enough for certain activities or procedures?

The results help your provider choose the next best step for your care.

What Happens During a Stress Test?

The Cardiolite® stress test has two main parts: resting images and stress images.

First, a small amount of Cardiolite® tracer is administered through an IV while your body is at rest. After the tracer moves through your body, a special camera takes pictures of your heart.

Next, stress is placed on your heart. This may be done with exercise on a treadmill or with medicine if exercise is not the best choice for you.

Another dose of tracer is then given through the IV while your heart is working harder. After a short wait, the camera takes more pictures.

Your doctor compares the resting pictures with the stress pictures. This helps show whether your heart gets enough blood when it works harder.

Is a Nuclear Stress Test Safe?

For most people, a Cardiolite® stress test is safe when ordered by a provider and performed by a trained medical team.

The test uses a small amount of radioactive tracer. This tracer helps create the heart images. It leaves your body naturally over time.

As with any medical test, there can be risks. The stress part of the test may cause shortness of breath, tiredness, chest discomfort, dizziness, or changes in heart rhythm. Serious problems are rare, but your care team will monitor you closely throughout the test.

Does a Nuclear Stress Test Hurt?

The test should not be painful. You may feel a small pinch when the IV is placed. You may also feel tired during the exercise part of the test. If medicine is used to stress your heart, you may feel warm, flushed, short of breath, or uncomfortable for a short time.

How Long Does a Nuclear Stress Test Take?

A Cardiolite® stress test often takes about 3 to 4 hours.

The exercise part may only last several minutes, but the full visit takes longer because of the IV, waiting periods, imaging time, and monitoring.

Plan to be at your appointment for the full time. Your care team will let you know if your test may take longer or if special instructions apply.

How Should I Prepare for a Cardiolite® Stress Test?

Follow the instructions from your doctor or testing team, as certain foods, drinks, and medicines can affect your results.

Common instructions may include avoiding food and drink for 6 hours before the test, avoiding caffeine for 24 hours, and not smoking for 8 hours. You may also be asked to avoid beta-blockers, Theophylline, Viagra®, or similar medicines for a certain amount of time before the test.

Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes, avoid clothing with metal snaps, buttons, or underwire, and bring a current list of your medicines and any inhalers you use.

Do not stop taking any medicine unless your provider tells you to.

What If I Have Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, ask your care team how to handle food, insulin, and diabetes medicine before your test.

Because you may be asked not to eat before the test, your provider may give you special instructions. Bring your glucose monitor if you use one.

Your care team wants your test to be safe and accurate.

Can I Drive Home After a Nuclear Stress Test?

Most people can drive themselves home after a Cardiolite® stress test.

Your care team will let you know if you need different instructions based on your health, medicines, or test plan.

What Happens After the Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test?

After the test, your care team will monitor you while your heart rate and blood pressure return closer to your normal range.

Most people can return to normal activities after the test unless their provider gives other instructions.

Drinking water after the test may help your body clear the tracer.

A qualified healthcare provider from Iowa Specialty Hospital will review your results. Your doctor will talk with you about what the results mean and whether you need more testing, medicine, lifestyle changes, or other care.

Schedule Cardiolite® Stress Testing

If your provider has recommended a Cardiolite® stress test, Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics is here to help you better understand your heart health and get the answers you need.

To learn more or schedule your Cardiolite® stress testing appointment, please contact Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics or visit our Locations & Hours page.