A resting and exercise radionuclide angiogram (RNA) may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you will go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of your stay in a hospital. Steps may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the test.

You may need to change into a hospital gown.

A healthcare professional will start an IV (intravenous) line in your hand or arm.

A nurse will connect you to an ECG machine with leads that stick to your skin. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm.

You will lie flat on a table in the procedure room.

Your healthcare provider will inject the radioactive tracer into the vein to tag the red blood cells. You will likely not feel anything when the tracer is given.

As another choice, a small amount of blood may be withdrawn from your vein so it can be tagged with the tracer. The tracer will be added to the blood. It will be absorbed into the red blood cells. Then the blood will be returned into your vein through the IV line.

During the test, it will be very important for you to lie as still as possible. Any movement can affect the quality of the scan.

Your healthcare provider will position the gamma camera over you as you lie on the table. It will track the progress of the tagged red blood cells through your heart.

The gamma camera will record images of your heart as it pumps the tagged blood cells through your body.

You may be asked to change positions during the test. But once you have changed position, you will need to lie still without talking.

After the resting scan is done, you will be asked to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. If you notice any discomfort while exercising, tell the technologist or provider right away. This includes chest pain, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, or severe tiredness.

You will exercise until you have reached your target heart rate (determined by your provider based on your age and physical condition). Or until you can’t continue due to chest pain, leg pain, severe shortness of breath, or severe tiredness.

Immediately after exercise, you will lie on the table while your provider records a second set of images.

Once all the heart images are done, your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate) will be watched for a certain time.

A healthcare provider will remove the IV line. You will most likely be able to leave, unless your provider tells you differently.