Are you worried about having a Nuclear Stress Test?

Question

Three weeks ago I asked questions about the reasons for one and what to expect. Some responses were helpful but I really didn't get all the answers I was looking for. Do you know the differences in what a Nuclear stress test are getting that make it more advantageous than an echocardiogram?

I was also told how bad the test was. In my opinion, the test itself really was not a big deal. There was slight discomfort in inserting the needle, but I felt nothing from the injection itself. It took about three and a quarter hour from start to finish, but before they can take the initial pictures you have time to grap a bite to eat.
The beginning of Apheresis is probablymore uncomfortable than this injection, but I would still encourage people do Apheresis to help others rather than shy away from a slight discomfort. The same with this test. IF a doctor has a good reason (I still am not sure what my doctor's was) don't panic..it is a relatively easy test.

For anyone who may be interested, what I found out during the test is that the overall difference in why this test might be ordered over an echo cardiogram is that the echo cardiogram focuses more on the valves of the heart, while this test focuses on the heart walls.

Answer 1

Here is the full information you want to know:

Answer

A nuclear stress test helps measure blood flow to your heart muscle at rest and during stress. It is similar to a routine exercise stress test but with images in addition to electrocardiograms.

During a nuclear stress test, a radioactive substance is injected into your bloodstream. This substance mixes with your blood and travels to your heart. A special camera or scanner — which detects the radioactive material in your heart — creates images of your heart muscle. Inadequate blood flow to any part of your heart will show up as a light spot on the images — because not as much of the radioactive substance is getting there.

There are several types of nuclear stress tests, including:

* Myocardial perfusion scan. During this procedure, you exercise on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bicycle. When you reach your maximum heart rate, you're given the injection. Images are made of your heart shortly after exercise and also a few hours later. This test shows how well blood flows into the heart muscle and can detect narrowing of the coronary arteries (coronary artery disease).
* Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan. In this test, you receive the injection before exercising. Images are made of your heart before and after exercise. A MUGA scan shows the motion of the heart and how well it pumps out blood (ejection fraction).

If you're unable to exercise, you may be injected with a medication that increases blood flow to your heart muscle — simulating exercise — for the test.