What does a nuclear heart scan show?
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Dr. William D. Knopf of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:The results from a nuclear heart scan can help doctors:
- Diagnose heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), and decide on a course of treatment
- Manage certain Cardiac, Other Heart and Vascular Diseasess, such as CAD and heart failure, and predict short-term or long-term survival
- Determine your risk for a heart attack
- Decide whether you will be helped by other heart tests, such as coronary angiography or cardiac catheterization
- Decide whether procedures that can increase blood flow to the coronary arteries, such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), can help you
- Monitor procedures or surgeries that have been done, such as CABG or a heart transplant
This answer from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf
The results from a nuclear heart scan can help doctors: Diagnose heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), and decide on a course of treatment Manage certain Cardiac, Other Heart and Vascular Diseasess, such as CAD and heart failure,... More -
Dr. Cathy Provins-Churbock answered:Nuclear studies are conducted to determine if a patient has blockages in their coronary arteries that are causing the heart to not get enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen can cause a heart attack if left untreated.
Nuclear studies can be done with the patient exercising on a treadmill or with a chemical that simulates exercise on the heart. Images of the heart are done at before and after the exercise/simulated exercise to evaluate the delivery of oxygen to the heart. Also during the test the patient's 12 lead EKG is monitored for changes that may indicate lack of oxygen.
There are pro's and con's to this type of testing based on patient gender, age, risk factors for heart disease etc. It is important to discuss with your cardiologist the best testing modality for you.
An abnormal nuclear scan will often necessitate a cardiac catherization for further evaluation of the coronary arteries.Nuclear studies are conducted to determine if a patient has blockages in their coronary arteries that are causing the heart to not get enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen can cause a heart attack if left untreated.Nuclear studies can be done with the... More -
Dr. Sara Mobasseri of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:The heart muscle receives blood flow from three main arteries "coronary arteries". When these arteries are blocked with more than 50- to 60-percent plaque then a perfusion abnormality will be demonstrated on a heart scan. These tests are usually only ordered when a patient has symptoms suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease. Based on the results of these tests the cardiologist can further decide if further testing is required with coronary angiography or cardiac catheterization and/or medical therapy.The heart muscle receives blood flow from three main arteries "coronary arteries". When these arteries are blocked with more than 50- to 60-percent plaque then a perfusion abnormality will be demonstrated on a heart scan. These tests are usually... More
