Stress Test

What to expect during a stress test

A stress test determines how well blood flows to your heart muscle. We usually perform this test while you exercise. If you can’t exercise, your doctor may order an adenosine stress test, which involves simulating the effects of exercise with medication.

A stress test involves myocardial perfusion imaging, which uses a radioactive tracer to produce images of the heart muscle.  When combined with an exercise test, the images can help determine if areas of the heart are recovering enough blood.

Department of Radiology, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6600

How Do I Prepare for the Exam?

Important: If you are nursing a baby, or if there is any possibility that you could be pregnant, please speak with your referring doctor before your scheduled appointment. 

Medications: Please ask your referring doctor whether or not to take your normally prescribed medications. This is important because some medicines may inhibit the rise in your heart rate during the test. Please bring a complete listing of your medications with you.

Foods: Have nothing to eat for four hours prior to your exam. You may drink water at any time. Diabetic patients may have a light snack, as needed, to maintain blood sugar levels. Do not drink/eat any products containing caffeine 24 hours prior to this exam.

Clothing: You should wear comfortable clothing, as you will be walking on a treadmill. Wear slacks, shorts, sweatpants, or a skirt. No dresses, please. We will place electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) leads on your chest during the exam. We will provide a hospital gown to you. We strongly recommend that you wear sneakers to your exam.

What Will Happen During the Exam?

There are three parts to this test: taking pictures, exercising, and taking more pictures. We will start an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. A technologist will inject a radioactive tracer through the IV.

Part I: You will then wait 30 to 45 minutes before taking your first set of images. The images take about 20 minutes. You must lie perfectly still for these pictures.

Part II: The technologist will then attach ECG electrodes to your chest in preparation for the stress test.  You will exercise on a treadmill while a cardiologist monitors your blood pressure and cardiogram. We will inject another tracer into the IV about one minute before you stop exercising.

Part III: The third part of the test involves taking another set of images. There will be a 60-minute delay before the images are taken. You may get something to eat during this time.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?

The entire procedure will take between three and three and a half hours.

What Will Happen After the Exam?

After the exam, the technologist will process your images using a computer. A radiologist will compare the two sets of pictures within 24 hours and dictate a report. Your referring doctor will receive a copy of this report.

A cardiologist will evaluate the ECG portion of your exam. Your doctor will receive this report separately.

How Will I Receive My Results?

You will get the results of the exam from your referring doctor.