Is radiation from nuclear stress test harmful?
Radioactive dye is injected into the body to capture images of internal structures and to look for abnormalities. The radioactive nature of the dye is the main reason why some patients feel uneasy about undergoing the procedure. However, the test is primarily safe, and there are rarely any associated complications.
What are the risks of nuclear stress test?
Risks
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Arrhythmias that occur during a stress test usually go away shortly after you stop exercising or the medication wears off.
- Heart attack. Although extremely rare, it’s possible that a nuclear stress test could cause a heart attack.
- Low blood pressure.
- Dizziness or chest pain.
How long are you radioactive after a nuclear stress test?
The radioactive liquid will be in your body for 24 to 36 hours after your test. You will need to do the following: Drink plenty of liquids as directed. This will help flush the radioactive liquid out of your body.
Is there an alternative to a nuclear stress test?
But cardiologists have long relied on so-called stress testing as a simpler, cheaper “gatekeeper” procedure to identify people more likely to benefit from the riskier, more invasive and more costly catheterizations. CT angiograms have recently emerged as yet another non-invasive alternative.
Does nuclear stress test affect kidneys?
It does not contain iodine and will not harm your kidneys. Nuclear stress testing, is very safe and can help your cardiologist accurately diagnosis heart disease.
Which is better echocardiogram or nuclear stress test?
Although stress echocardiography may have comparable ability to detect coronary artery disease, current data suggest that stress echocardiography detects significantly less jeopardized viable myocardium than stress nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging and consequently fewer patients at risk for cardiac events.
Why would a doctor order a nuclear stress test?
The test is done to see if your heart muscle is getting enough blood flow and oxygen when it is working hard (under stress). Your provider may order this test to find out: How well a treatment (medicines, angioplasty, or heart surgery) is working. If you are at high risk for heart disease or complications.
Why would a cardiologist order a nuclear stress test?
Nuclear stress tests are ordered by cardiologists and other types of physicians for patients that may be at risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle can become blocked, which could lead to a myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart …
Can you pass a stress test and still have heart problems?
This severe narrowing is what causes the severe chest pain called angina. But normal results from a stress test do not rule out the possibility of a future heart attack. This is because a plaque can still rupture, form clots and block an artery. Heart attacks often result from these smaller blockages that rupture.
Does a nuclear stress test show clogged arteries?
The test can show the size of the heart’s chambers, how well the heart is pumping blood, and whether the heart has any damaged or dead muscle. Nuclear stress tests can also give doctors information about your arteries and whether they might be narrowed or blocked because of coronary artery disease.
Why do they numb your throat for a nuclear stress test?
You are also given medicine (local anesthetic) to numb your throat. This helps you feel more comfortable during the procedure. An exercise stress test measures how your heart deals with the stress of physical activity.
Will a nuclear stress test show clogged arteries?