While every physician is different, there are a few standard rules that seem to apply when preparing for your cardiac PET scan. Remember to follow your physician’s instructions as the information below serves as only a guideline.

Specific instructions are provided to you upon making an appointment.  It’s essential to follow all preparation instructions to help prevent a rescheduled test.  Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, if you’re pregnant or nursing, and the medications you’re taking, whether they’re prescription, over-the-counter, or nutritional supplements.

The two most common restrictions we see are beta-blockers and caffeine so, we’re going to delve into those a bit more.

Caffeine

Caffeine, a stimulant, can increase your heart rate and blood pressure and inhibits the effectiveness of the medication needed for the stress portion of the test.  Caffeine will interfere with the results of your cardiac PET scan, and if consumed, your appointment will be rescheduled.

Do not eat or drink anything that has caffeine, including coffee, tea, decaffeinated products, energy bars, Excedrin, chocolate, cocoa, herbal teas, and soda for 24 hours before your exam.

No caffeine when preparing for your cardiac PET scan

Instead, enjoy these beverages

  • Fruit juices
  • Lemonade
  • Regular milk
  • Vegetable juices
  • Water

Typically restricted medications

Your physician may restrict beta blockers for your cardiac PET scan

Beta-Blockers

Doctors prescribe beta-blockers to prevent, treat, or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, heart failure, chest pain, heart attack, glaucoma, migraines, generalized anxiety disorder, and hyperthyroidism. Beta-blockers slow your heart rate, which may make it impossible for you to reach your target heart rate. We’ve seen restrictions for beta-blockers anywhere from 48 hours before your appointment to none at all.

Typically restricted medications include:

Acebutolol

Adalat CC

Atenolol

Betapace

Bisoprolol

Blocadren

Bystolic

Calan

Cardizem CD

Carteolol

Cartia XL

Cartrol

Carvedilol

Coreg

Covera HS

Dipyridamole

Imdur

Inderal

Inderide

Isotopin

Kerlone

Labetalol

Levatol

Lopressor

Metoprolol

Nadolol

Nitroglycerine

Normodyne

Penbutolol

Persantine

Pindolol

Propranolol

Sectral

Sotalol

Tarka

Tenoretic

Tenormin

Theophylline

Timolide

Timolol

Toprol XL

Trandate

Verapamil

Verelan

Visken

Zebeta

Ziac

Sample Instructions for PET Stress Testing

24 Hours Before

Do not eat or drink anything that has caffeine, including coffee, tea, decaffeinated products, Excedrin, chocolate, cocoa, herbal teas, and soda for 24 hours before your exam. Caffeine will interfere with the results of the test.

Do not take the following medications, unless instructed by your doctor:

  • Dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox)
  • Theophylline (Aminophylline, Theo Dur, Theo 24, Slo Bid)
  • Trental (Pentoxifylline)
  • Beta-Blockers

You are required to notify the office 24 hours in advance if you cannot keep your appointment.

The Evening Before

Insulin/Oral Medications: If you take insulin, take only a ½ dose the evening before your appointment.

4 Hours Before

Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before your appointment. Drinking water is okay. Do not eat or drink anything that has caffeine, including coffee, tea, decaffeinated products, Excedrin, chocolate, cocoa, herbal teas, and soda.

The Day of Your Test

  • Allow one hour for your appointment
  • Bring all medications with you
  • Hold diabetic medicine the morning of your appointment
  • Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit