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Stress Test:
An exercise stress test is a special type of
electrocardiogram (EKG) that compares the heart's electrical activity at
rest and under exertion. |
| Nuclear Stress Test:
During the nuclear stress test we still monitor the EKG both at rest and
under exertion. With a nuclear stress test, we include an
additional component that produces images of the heart. The
patient is prepped with an IV before the test. The patient is then
injected with a very small, harmless amount of a radioactive substance,
such as cardiolite. Once in the patient's body, this substance emits
rays that can be picked up by a special (gamma) camera. The rays
allow the camera to produce clear pictures of the heart tissue on a
video monitor. These pictures show contrasts between light and
dark spots, which can indicate areas of damage or reduced blood flow
that are present before, during and after exertion. |
Key Benefits
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Medical research has shown that a nuclear stress test is 98% more
accurate than a standard stress test. |
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Indicates extent of artery blockages. |
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Gives
prognosis of patients who have recently suffered a heart attack
(Myocardial Infarction). |
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Indicates effectiveness of
cardiac procedures previously performed, such as coronary stenting, or
ballooning. |
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May
show the reason the patient is having chest pain. |
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Indicates level of exercise the patient can safely perform. |
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The
cardiologist can track the ongoing progression of your heart disease
with routine testing. |
Cardiovascular Stress Test Nuclear SPEC
Imaging
(Cardiolite Stress Testing)
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