Important! Call 911 if you are experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack.
Nuclear and Exercise
Stress Testing
At Bay Area Heart, we offer a full range of cardiac stress testing to evaluate how well your heart functions under physical or medication-induced stress. These tests help diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD), assess exercise tolerance, and guide treatment decisions for chest pain, shortness of breath, and other heart-related symptoms.
Our nuclear stress lab is fully accredited by ICANL, ensuring the highest standards in imaging quality, safety, and accuracy.
Types of Stress Tests We Offer:
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms that can originate in different parts of the heart:
- Atrial arrhythmias: such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)—can cause palpitations, fatigue, and increased stroke risk.
- Ventricular arrhythmias: including premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT)—may be more serious and require urgent evaluation.
- Bradycardia (slow heart rhythms): often due to issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker or conduction system.
Symptoms That May Suggest an Arrhythmia:
- Palpitations or fluttering sensation in the chest
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
What to Expect:
- You’ll receive a small amount of radioactive tracer through an IV—this is safe and involves only minimal radiation exposure, similar to a routine X-ray.
- Be prepared to spend about 4 hours at the clinic for the full imaging process.
- Our staff will guide you every step of the way to ensure your comfort and safety.
How to Prepare:
- Do not eat or drink anything (except water) for 4–6 hours before the test.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, or energy drinks) 24 hours before your appointment.
- Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes (for treadmill tests).
Risks and Benefits:
Stress testing is generally safe and very well tolerated. Potential risks (such as changes in heart rhythm or mild reactions to medication) are rare and managed by our expert team. The benefits include detecting silent or hidden heart disease and helping prevent future events like heart attacks.
Results:
- Routine results will be reviewed at your follow-up visit.
- Urgent or critical findings will be communicated promptly.
- In some cases, results may also be available via our secure patient portal.
For Referring Providers
We provide comprehensive reports and clinical interpretation for all stress tests, with timely communication. Our ICANL-certified lab ensures accurate and dependable results. Fax referrals or contact our office directly to schedule. Our friendly team coordinates appointment logistics to ensure your patients are well taken care of.
