MRI Cardiac Stress Test Preparation

• Metal: You will be asked before your MR exam if you have any metal in your body. Having metal in your body does not automatically disqualify you from having an MR exam. All patients are evaluated individually.
• Registration: Before arriving, you can print and fill out the MRI and MRI and Pregnancy forms, if applicable, on our Pre-Registration Questionnaire page. This should speed your registration process. 
• Written order: If your doctor gave you an written order, please bring it with you.
• Medications: If you plan to take relaxation medication before your exam, it is our policy that you come with someone who can drive you home.
• Anesthesia: If you are having anesthesia, please also read our MRI and Anesthesia page.
• Pacemakers and other implantable devices.
  • Please make sure to inform your technologist if you have a pacemaker or an implantable device.
  • Many of today's implantable devices are designed to allow a patient to have an MR exam.
  • In some cases, people with pacemakers, defibrillators or other electronic devices cannot have an MR scan.
  • If you have a pacemaker or other implantable devices, please make sure you bring detailed information for your device type and your leads. It is important for us to know which make and model you have.

The time estimate listed below is for your total time in the center. Your actual exam time will be shorter. At scheduling, you will be given your arrival time: you do not need to come before that time.

Cardiac MR stress test (with adenosine; stress profusion, vasodilator, pharmacologic) (approximate visit time: 3.5 hours)

• Consult your physician about going off beta blockers for 48 hours before your exam.
• Consult your physician about stopping calcium channel blockers 24 hours before your exam.
• Consult your physician before discontinuing ANY medication (especially if you are diabetic).
• Remain on all other noncardiac medications
• Do not eat or drink three hours before your exam. Water is OK.
• Do not eat or drink caffeine products (such as: chocolate, sodas, teas, coffee or Anacin®/Excedrin®) for 24 hours before exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine and should be avoided.
• Please wear a comfortable two-piece outfit and walking shoes.
• Please bring all of your medications with you or a list of all medications with doses.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake and West Hollywood.