What’s a Lexiscan Stress Test?
If your cardiologist suspects you have an undiagnosed heart condition, he or she may recommend a Lexiscan stress test as a diagnostic tool. This test is also known as the ‘nuclear sit-down stress test’ and is designed to assess the condition of your coronary arteries (major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood).
How does a Lexiscan Stress Test Work?
Your cardiologist may use a special imaging type to inject a small amount of radioactive tracer into your blood before and after injecting Lexiscan (a type of medication). Lexiscan replaces exercise (physical activity) and leads to the same response from your body that would occur if you were engaging in actual physical activity.
The cardiologist will then compare the pictures of your heart muscles taken before the Lexiscan injection and after the injection. The differences in the pictures will help your cardiologist determine if there are blockages in the coronary arteries.
In addition, the pictures can help determine if your heart muscles suffered any damage after a heart attack. If any damage is diagnosed, your cardiologist can help determine the best treatment option to correct the damage or abnormality.
Common treatment options include changes to your lifestyle, medication, or a cardiac procedure like coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Reasons for a Lexiscan Stress Test
Your cardiologist may recommend a Lexiscan stress test for different reasons. These include;
- Signs of CAD (coronary artery disease), such as shortness of breath and chest pain
- Significant factors for coronary artery disease, such as high cholesterol, smoking, and high blood pressure
- Follow-up assessment after a cardiac procedure, such as coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery
- To be cleared for some surgeries that are considered high-risk
Note that only an imaging technologist trained to handle radioactive drugs should take photographs of your heart using specialized equipment known as a gamma camera. In addition, the test should be supervised by a cardiology nurse, a registered nurse practitioner, or a physician. An experienced cardiologist should be available in case of a medical emergency.
Preparing for a Lexiscan Stress Test
When scheduling the test, your cardiologist will provide detailed instructions on how you should prepare for the test. For instance, you shouldn’t take caffeine after 8 pm (the night before the Lexiscan stress test). That includes tea, sodas, chocolate, coffee, and decaffeinated beverages.
You should also avoid certain migraine medications and cough syrups with caffeine. Therefore, talk to your cardiologist about any medication you may be taking. Remember, you should avoid all medications that could interfere with the test at least 24 hours before the test.
Once the test process is completed, your cardiologist will analyze the results and inform you about your heart health. Remember, heart issues may be treatable if diagnosed early enough.
