Nuclear Stress Test

frazzledmomof2 · August 1, 2008

Getting banded on Aug 20th and today was my cardiologist appt. so I can get clearance. Told I needed to get this nuclear stress test where they inject some radioactive stuff into you and have you walk on a treadmill until you get tired. Supposedly I supposed to stay 6ft away from my children the whole day just to be safe. Anyone else have this procedure done! Just when I thought I was done with testing!:biggrin:

rstroud100 · August 1, 2008

I had this done and the isotope does stay in your system for a few days but I have never heard of there being an issue with personal contact. It was a single injection that allows the scanners to take good pictures of your heart. It was no big deal for me...

frazzledmomof2 · August 1, 2008

I'm not sure if it's this cardiologist or not but she was concerned more for younger children (mine our 8 & 6). Which will be a challenge since my 6yr old is a hugger.

ShelbyD · August 1, 2008

I had to have a nuclear stress test too. It was not that bad. The worst part was lying still while the pictures of my heart were taken. I was not told to stay away from my kids or anything like that.

Lanakila · August 1, 2008

The isotope that is generally used has a very short half-life which means it basically fades really quickly. I think that your cardiologist is being way too conservative. I could see if you were breastfeeding, but no huggin' is over the top. JMO.

Marivali · August 2, 2008

Yeah, I had that too, and it's not that bad, even for a fraidy-cat like me! They also told me to keep away from young children for several hours (I don't think it was even a full day--6 hours or something like that), and I didn't know if it was a big deal, but I figured better safe than sorry. It helps if you can have someone with you (husband, sibling, friend) to keep the kid(s) distracted & busy, so they don't even notice you're keeping away.... I wouldn't make a big deal out of it.