Nuclear Cardiology

What is nuclear cardiology?

Nuclear cardiology tests check your heart health and function. The most common kind of cardiology testing is an exercise stress test, in which you walk and run on a treadmill to increase your heart rate.

But exercise stress testing alone might not provide all the information the medical team needs to accurately diagnose symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test offers the same information and other details of your heart function.

What information does a nuclear cardiology test provide?

A nuclear stress test can:

Diagnose coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease is the narrowing of the arteries leading to your heart. This narrowing doesn’t allow the proper delivery of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to your heart. Artery narrowing is usually caused by plaque (cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) building up on the artery walls.

A nuclear stress test can diagnose coronary heart disease and determine how severe it is, including locating the blockages.

Evaluate your current treatment

A nuclear stress test can determine if your treatment is working if you’re already being treated for coronary artery disease.

The information gathered in a nuclear stress test helps the team make treatment changes you need to become and stay healthy.

The Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC team will explain the reasons for your nuclear stress test and how it can benefit your long-term health.

How does nuclear cardiology work?

During a nuclear stress test, you'll receive an injection of a radioactive dye. The team then uses a nuclear scan to identify gamma rays from the dye. These produce a moving image of the blood flow in your heart and its coronary arteries while you’re at rest.

After gathering images of your heart at rest, you’ll do the exercise portion of the test. This involves walking on the treadmill with increasing intensity to get your heart rate to its maximum level.

Once you reach the target heart rate, the team takes an additional image. If you can’t exercise, the team can stimulate your heart using an injected medication.

A nuclear stress test is a safe, reliable, non-invasive, and painless test with no downtime needed afterward.

Book your nuclear stress test online or by calling Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC now.