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