A nuclear stress test creates images of the heart’s blood flow using a small amount of radiation and an optical machine. The test evaluates blood flow throughout when the body is at rest and when the body is in movement, revealing areas of your heart with insufficient blood flow or injury. This test is a type of stress test and is common among individuals. Let’s learn all about nuclear stress testing in Port Saint Lucie.
What Is a Nuclear Stress Test?
A nuclear stress test involves injecting a radioactive substance into the chest to assess its function and blood flow. The goal of the examination is to see if any parts of the heart muscle aren’t getting sufficient oxygen during activity. The test is also known as myocardial perfusion scan or thallium stress test.
Purpose of Nuclear Stress Test
Nuclear stress testing is designed to produce two views of how blood is transported to the heart muscle; one during the rest state and one during activity. At rest and during exercise, blood should be uniformly divided to the heart muscle, and the photographs will demonstrate this even distribution.
If a continuous patch of improper blood flow can be seen on both the rest and workout images, it means you’ve had a previous heart attack. If a poor blood flow location is discovered during stress testing but not during rest, it is probable that an obstruction in one of the coronaries is causing the transitory decline in blood flow.
Benefits of Nuclear Stress Test
There are various benefits of this test, some of them are:
- The test will show how well the heart is working.
- It will keep you on top of any damage to your heart.
- Further, it also dictates how well the treatment is working for you.
Preparation for Nuclear Stress Testing in Port Saint Lucie
The healthcare professional will arrange the test’s timing and location for you. The majority of nuclear stress testing is done in a clinical outpatient setting. You should arrive at least half an hour prior to the planned test time and if you are planning on staying it will take at least four hours. When you come for screening, you will be questioned by a member of the healthcare staff to discover if your concerns or medical issues have changed after your last visit, and you will get a brief physical examination. They will also provide another briefing on what to anticipate throughout the test, as well as the opportunity to discuss any further questions.
