This test has three parts and takes approximately 90 minutes.

To begin the first part of the test, a nuclear technologist will take you to the testing suite and you will be asked if you have followed the pre-test instructions. These instructions must be followed as certain drugs you might be taking, (beta-blockers, theophylline and caffeine), have an adverse affect on the test results. Taking them will require the test to be rescheduled. An IV (intravenous line) will be started in your arm and at this point you will meet your nurse and he/she will explain the next part of the test and answer any questions you have. Your blood pressure will be monitored and you will be connected to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine that will constantly display your heart rhythm and rate. During this part of the test, you will be given a medication via the IV in your arm. This medication will cause your heart to work harder and contract with more force but not increase the heart rate much. The medication is given to expand (dilate) the heart's arteries. Healthy or normal arteries dilate more than partially blocked arteries thus allowing more isotope to accumulate in the heart. In addition to the medication, you may be asked to walk very slowly on a treadmill for 4 minutes. Some patients experience mild side effects with the medication such as:

         Feeling a little "light-headed"
         Feeling flushed in the face and chest
         Feeling pressure in your throat or chest.

When the medication has taken effect, after 2 minutes, a small amount of isotope is again injected and the medication is continued for 2 more minutes. Once the medication has been stopped, the side effects will disappear within 1 minute. It is important to remember that if you have side effects this does not mean you have heart disease. Your EKG and blood pressure will be monitored until they return to pre-test levels; usually 6 minutes.

After the recovery period you will be disconnected from the EKG machine and you will be escorted back to the scan room. Remember, remaining still is of the utmost importance as it affects the scan critically. This scan takes approximately 24 minutes. After this scan is done you will be finished with this part of the test. Before you leave, the technologist will give you a time to come back later in the day so that a second set of images can be taken.

For the second part of the test, there is no preparation. When you return, you will be taken back to the camera room and placed on the scanner for another 20 minutes. Once the scan is completed, you will be finished with the test unless your physician has asked for a third set of images on the following day.