| Do you have a cardiac stress test scheduled? If so, | | | | in the exercise increases. |
| you may have some questions about how to | | | | Men will need to tell their doctor and or technician |
| properly prepare for the test. Don't worry! The | | | | whether or not they have taken any medications to |
| preparations are simple. You don't need to do much... | | | | combat erectile dysfunction in the last twenty four |
| The preparation for a cardiac stress test is fairly | | | | hours. The reason for this is because if you |
| simple and straight forward (there's no studying | | | | experience any chest pain during testing and |
| required, the most important thing is that you show | | | | nitroglycerin needs to be given the combination of |
| up on time). | | | | medications such as Viagra and nitroglycerin can be |
| There are a few additional things you need to | | | | dangerous if not deadly. |
| consider before your cardiac stress test. First, you | | | | You should be able to drive yourself to and from |
| will need to avoid any stimulant for at least three | | | | your cardiac stress test. Depending on the type of |
| hours prior to testing. Stimulants include caffeine | | | | cardiac stress test you have done will determine the |
| which can be found in chocolate, tea, soda and | | | | amount of time the test will take. Treadmill stress |
| coffee. There are also some pain relievers that | | | | tests can last about 45 minutes start to finish, stress |
| contain caffeine and those need to be avoided as | | | | echocardiograms can last a little over an hour and |
| well. Alcohol is another stimulant that you need to | | | | nuclear stress test last about 4 hours. |
| avoid for at least three hours prior to testing. | | | | If you are diabetic you will want to have a snack |
| You will want to continue all medications unless your | | | | before your testing, especially if you are going to |
| doctor has instructed you otherwise. In most cases if | | | | have the nuclear stress test done. Eating a light meal |
| you take a prescription medication that is used to | | | | the morning of your test is acceptable, making sure |
| control the heart rate your doctor may have you | | | | that you are not eating a heavy meal which could |
| hold this medication for 24 hours prior to testing. The | | | | lead to nausea and vomiting due to the full stomach |
| reason for this is that part of the cardiac stress test | | | | and exercise. |
| is to increase your heart rate to your target rate and | | | | It is always advisable that you take with you a |
| keep you there to monitor the activity of your heart. | | | | complete list of all medications, the dosage that you |
| Make sure that you go to the appointment in | | | | take and how often you take them. If you have any |
| comfortable clothes. Clothing that is breathable, easy | | | | questions that have not been answered yet, make |
| for you to move in and comfortable. Make sure that | | | | sure to take those questions with you to the test |
| you are wearing comfortable shoes that will be able | | | | and the nurse, doctor or technician will be able to |
| to walk and possibly jog in as the levels of intensity | | | | answer them for you. |