Understanding Nuclear Stress Test or Isotope Stress Test

Nuclear stress test or Isotope stress test estimates the difference between the, blood flow at the cardiac muscle at rest ad at the time of stress experience. It is similar to the function of other common exercise stress tests. The only difference is that it gives images and electrocardiograms for better understanding. Let us now find out what one can expect from a nuclear stress test.


Procedure

First of all the doctor injects a radioactive body into your blood stream to reach your heart. A special type of scanner monitors the presence of the radioactive body inside the heart producing the image of the cardiac muscle. Any inadequate blood supply is identified with light spot as the radioactive body cannot reach there in an adequate volume.

Types of tests

One of the different types of nuclear tests is myocardial perfusion scan where you practice exercise on a stationary bicycle or treadmill. After reaching the maximum heart beat the injection is administered and images taken after the exercise and a few hours later. The test reveals the quality of the blood flow in to the heart muscle and the narrow ness in the coronary arteries indicating the likelihood of coronary artery disease.

Another nuclear stress test is the multiple gated acquisition scan (MUGA) a non invasive nuclear stress test where an injection is given before the exercise and images of the heart taken in both pre and post exercise sessions. Through this nuclear stress test the quality of the beating of the heart and its ability to pump blood is detected (ejection fraction). It also shows any damage to the heart wall.

In case the patient cannot exercise a special medicated injection is given which increases the blood flow in the heart muscle. Nuclear stress test is immensely beneficial to doctors as they can detect a problem in a comprehensive manner and plan the treatment strategy for an anxious patients, special care must be taken for pregnant and breast feeding women.

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