09 Dec The Use of Nuclear Stress Testing in Evaluating Heart Disease
A nuclear stress test is a procedure that helps show how well blood flows to your heart muscle, and it is performed both at rest and during physical activity. It provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart. With this information, your doctor can assess your heart’s condition. Here is more information about nuclear stress testing:
Using EKG Diagnostics
Before any physical activity begins, a technician will place electrodes on your chest. These electrodes connect to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and this machine records your heart’s electrical activity. This initial reading establishes a baseline measurement of your heart at rest. The EKG monitors your heart rate and rhythm throughout the entire procedure.
This process gives a continuous view of your heart’s performance. While you are exercising, the EKG will show how your heart responds to the physical stress. Technicians monitor the EKG for any changes that might occur during activity, and this occurs at various levels of activity.
Injecting Radioactive Tracer
After the initial resting phase, you will typically receive an injection of a radioactive tracer. This tracer is a small, safe amount of radioactive material, and it travels through your bloodstream and into your heart muscle. A special camera then takes pictures of your heart while you are resting. These images show how much of the tracer has reached different parts of your heart.
Following the resting images, you will begin the exercise portion of the nuclear stress testing procedure. The intensity will gradually increase to raise your heart rate. When you reach your peak level of exercise, you receive another injection of the tracer. This second set of images shows blood flow to your heart during physical stress. For those unable to exercise, a medication is given that mimics the effects of exercise on the heart.
As the tracer material makes blood flow visible on the images, a camera detects the tracer’s energy, creating pictures of your heart. Comparing the resting and stress images helps your doctor see blood flow patterns, and this comparison is a key part of the test’s diagnostic value. The amount of tracer used is minimal and leaves your body through your urine within a day or two.
Assessing Heart Health
Your doctor will review the two sets of images to evaluate your heart health. The images taken at rest are compared with those taken after exercise. Differences between these sets of pictures may indicate areas of concern. This comparison helps determine the extent and location of poor blood flow. The test provides visual evidence of how well your heart is working.
Diagnosing Conditions
The results from a nuclear stress test assist in diagnosing certain heart conditions. It helps determine the cause of symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. The test can also show the extent of damage after a heart attack.
A doctor might use the results to:
- Identify blockages in the coronary arteries.
- Guide treatment plans for heart disease.
- Check the effectiveness of a previous procedure.
After reviewing the test, a physician can decide on the next steps for your care. The test provides detailed information about your heart’s function and can help pinpoint issues.
Schedule Nuclear Stress Testing
A nuclear stress test provides a detailed view of blood flow to the heart, and the procedure involves monitoring your heart at rest and during activity. If you have questions about this test, speak with your healthcare provider. Contact a cardiovascular expert today to schedule a consultation.
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