Nuclear Stress Test

[JaxTerri]

I'm getting ready to start a new weight loss program at my gym and went to my PCP to let him know and make sure he felt I should do so. (Mainly I asked him if I could go off insulin and back on meds so I am able to lose weight faster.....of course he said no since my insulin is working so well for me). Anyhow, he sent me to see a cardiologist to have a stress test since I'm 46, diabetic, overweight, and have a family history of heart problems. I went to the cardiologist and he did an EKG and told me that it showed I have a "thickening heart muscle" and he scheduled the nuclear stress test for next Tuesday. He says that is common in diabetics but could mean that I have a blockage. I wasn't afraid of the stress test but since he suspects problems I admit I'm worried now.

My question is have any of you had this diagnosis? What should I expect of the test? The test is scheduled for Noon so I am supposed not take my insuling that morning, not eat any caffeine or dairy for 24 hours prior to the test. I normally take my Lantus each evening...should I not take it Monday night since it will still be in my system by Noon the next day.

It's always something isn't it :)

[EasyType2]

http://www.heartsite.com/html/isotope_stress.html

I had the Thallium Scan - same thing - post MI. The purpose was to determine the amount of heart muscle damage. Results were good showing only 15% damage to right ventricle.

For me, it consisted of a treadmill test while multiple strips were run on an EKG machine. When my heartbeat reached the desired rate, they injected the tracer in a vein, and I was stuck in a big tunnel that monitored the movement of the tracer in the heart tissue.

Not a lot of fun, but I've endured worse.

I suggest you ask the doctor about taking Lantus the evening before. I don't know.

[Sharethesecret]

I was a Nuclear Med Tech many moon's ago... I did lots of Cardiac scans. There are several ways that they do them, but basically they are all the same... 2 sets of pictures- one is a base line, and one is after the "stress". Usually they start with the baseline picutures. If they are puting you on a treadmill, they will have you on it until you reach peak stress, they will inject the radioactive material, and then shortly after that, let you off. Then the second set of pictures...
The sequence is a little different for Thallium.
The only thing you have to really prepare for is the effect of the exercise on your blood sugar. Depending on what kind of shape you are in, the treadmill experience could go long (10 minutes) or short (less than 5 minutes). Adjust your insulin and food accordingly. Each set of pictures takes about 1/2 hour a piece, so you may want to check your blood sugar before each scan to make sure you'll be ok- because you have to hold VERY still during the whole scan.
Good luck. I hope everything turns out good for you.
I'm sure you won't be like many of my previous patients, and ask to go outside for a cigarette break in between scans...:eek:

Melissa

[JaxTerri]

Thanks for the replies. Nope, I don't smoke so that is in my favor.

[owlyn]

I just had one a few months ago. The process takes about 5 hours due to waiting times after the radioactive stuff is injected (which happens twice). Bring something to read, do, or listen to. The hardest part is having to remain still in a not very comfortable position for 20-30 minutes twice. If you are claustrophobic, this may be even harder.

[JaxTerri]

I had the nuclear stress test today and it went well. It only took about 2 1/2 hours. The treadmill time was the full 10 minutes and I got to my target heart rate of 148 and held it there. My blood pressure went up but then went back down to normal as they expected. Then the cardiologist came in to show me my pictures and explain them to me. He said that on a scale of 1 - 10 (1 being clean and 10 being 100% blocked) that I was a 3. He told me that if I continue on the road I'm on to losing weight, eating healthy, and lot's of exercise that I will be okay and not need any surgery. He said that if I didn't he sees surgery in my future. He explained that having diabetes makes me as high a risk for a heart attack as a person who's already had one. WOW! That really hit me hard. So he told me that I have to keep my blood sugar down which will help keep the plaque from building up around my heart. Next I have to exercise even more than I'm doing to try to remove what's already built up; and keep eating healthy. He approved my beginning the Commit to be fit program that starts this Friday, 9/28 and told me to work as hard as I can...that my heart can take it :) That was the best thing he could have told me......so I'm ready to begin! I'll keep you guys posted.