What are the risks associated with a chemical nuclear stress test?

Risks and complications associated with the nuclear stress test are allergic reactions, abnormal heartbeats, chest pains and in very rare cases, heart attacks. After a nuclear stress test, radioactive chemicals will leave the body through excretion, states Mayo Clinic.

Nuclear stress tests generally last from two to five hours and involve exercise or blood flow stimulation to simulate exercise for people who can't adequately complete an exercise routine. Exercise or blood flow stimulation will continue until the heart rate has reached a certain target. When the target heart rate has been reached, the person completing the stress test will no longer be able to continue normal activity until the heart rate is normalized, according to Mayo Clinic.