What are the requirements for a nuclear stress test?
John Johnson
Updated on February 10, 2026
You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes with non-skid soles. You may be asked not to eat or drink after midnight. You will be allowed to have a few sips of water if you need to take medicines. You will need to avoid caffeine for 24 hours before the test.
What is the most accurate stress test?
The nuclear stress test is generally considered to be the most accurate type of stress test. It has a sensitivity of about 81%, meaning that it will miss about 19% of high-grade blockages.
What is a good Mets score for a stress test?
Less than 5 METS is poor, 5–8 METS is fair, 9–11 METS is good, and 12 METS or more is excellent.
What should I avoid before a nuclear stress test?
Caffeine should be avoided 24 hours before the stress test Chocolate or cocoa products in candy, cakes, brownies, pudding, chocolate milk, hot cocoa, etc.; coffee and tea including brewed, instant, iced, and decaffeinated; soda pop, including those labeled “caffeine-free”; diet supplements including energy bars, energy …
Can u drive after a nuclear stress test?
While you are walking on the treadmill, a second small amount of Myoview is administered. Following the treadmill test, there is another waiting period followed by a second imaging scan. If you are an outpatient, you will be permitted to drive after your test is completed.
Why would a doctor order a nuclear stress test?
Why it’s done You may need a nuclear stress test if you have signs or symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition.
What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?
Here are eight of the items on their lists:
- Bacon, sausage and other processed meats. Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian.
- Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks.
- Dessert.
- Too much protein.
- Fast food.
- Energy drinks.
- Added salt.
- Coconut oil.
What is a good METs level?
A healthy 50-year-old man should have a capacity of at least 9.2 METs; a healthy 50-year-old woman should clock in at 8.2 METs or higher, according to a recent study on women’s fitness in the New England Journal of Medicine. For men age 20, 13.5 METs; age 30, 11.4 METs; age 40, 10.3 METs.
How many METs are considered to be a moderate activity?
Moderate intensity—Uses from 3.0-6.0 METs. Examples are walking briskly, vacuuming, or raking leaves. Vigorous intensity—Uses from 6.0+ METs. Examples are walking very quickly, running, taking an aerobics class, or shoveling snow.
Can you drive yourself home after a nuclear stress test?
You will not be allowed to eat or drink until the medicine used to numb your throat wears off. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You may not drive yourself home after your test.
What kind of test is a nuclear stress test?
A pharmacological nuclear stress test is a diagnostic test used to evaluate blood flow to the heart.
How long do you have to lie still for a nuclear stress test?
After the tracer is injected, you will wait about 30 minutes before the first set of “resting” images are taken. Then you will be asked to lie very still under the gamma camera with both arms above your head for about 15 to 20 minutes. The camera will record images that show blood flow through your heart at rest.
What should you do before a nuclear stress test?
Food and medications. You may be asked not to eat, drink or smoke for a period of time before a nuclear stress test. You may need to avoid caffeine the day before and the day of the test. Ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to continue taking all of your prescription and over-the-counter medications before the test,…
What do you need to know about stress tests?
During a nuclear stress test: 1 You will lie down on an exam table. 2 A health care provider will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your arm. 3 A special camera will scan your heart to create the images, which show your heart at rest. 4 The rest of the test is just like an exercise stress test.