Dobutamine Nuclear
Stress Test
What is a ‘stress test’ and
why is this called a stress test?
The resting heart muscle’s
blood supply needs are usually well met even in the
presence of blocked arteries. When the heart is
stressed either by exercise or chemicals, the demand
for blood increases. The blood flow through the
blocked arteries- while adequate at rest- may not be
able to keep up with the demands of a stressed
heart. This can show up on the pictures of the
heart taken after stress. This is the principle
behind all the stress tests. The word stress test is
used for any means used to increase heart muscle’s
demand for blood. This can be done by exercise or by
chemical means.
What is Dobutamine nuclear
scan?
It is similar to
exercise
nuclear stress test except for the fact that a
medicine called Dobutamine is used to stress the
heart. During this test, Dobutamine is infused at a
gradually increasing rate to increase the heart rate
to a desired level
How do I prepare for
Dobutamine stress nuclear scan?
No special preparation is
usually needed before this test. Ask your provider
about any special instructions.
What are the side effects of
Dobutamine?
Dobutamine increases heart rate. It can cause
certain heart rhythm disturbances. This can cause
feeling of palpitations. This can precipitate angina
like any other stress test.
Back to
stress tests
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