Instructions for Pharmacologic Stress Thallium Test
Please do not eat for at least two hours before the test.
Do not consume any caffeine from midnight before the test. This includes chocolate, regular or decaffeinated coffee or tea, sodas such as cola and Mountain Dew
®
, energy drinks, and medicines such as Excedrin
®
.
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable, two-piece clothing, such as a jogging or warm-up suit. Wear comfortable shoes. Tennis, walking, or running shoes are best.
You may need to alter or stop some of your medications, especially
beta blockers
, Persantine (dipyridamole), and theophylline before the test. Please discuss this with your physician at least 48 hours in advance of the test.
Please refrain from taking medicines for erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, within 48 hours before the test. If you take one of these medicines for other reasons, such as pulmonary hypertension, please discuss with your physician.
There are two phases to the test. The first phase should take about 1-1/2 hours. You will leave the office for 3 - 4 hours and return for approximately 40 - 45 minutes for the second phase, which does not require exercise. The technologist will tell you a specific time to return for the second phase. Do NOT eat or drink until both phases of the test are completed.
If you have to cancel this appointment, please notify our office at (310) 829-7678 at least 24 hours in advance.
You may wish to familiarize yourself with this test by referring to the CardioSmart articles about
stress tests
and
nuclear heart scans
.
If you have any further questions with regard to this test, please contact our office.