What is thallium stress test for heart?
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What is thallium stress test for heart?
The thallium stress test is an imaging study that shows your doctor how well blood flows to your heart. It measures your blood flow during rest and after exercise. The thallium stress test is also called a nuclear stress test, a treadmill test, a stress perfusion test, or a cardiac SPECT.
What does a thallium stress test show?
A thallium stress test is a nuclear medicine study that shows your physician how well blood flows through your heart muscle while you’re exercising or at rest. This exam also allows your physician to visualize whether there has been any damage done to your heart by any problems you may have had previously.
Is thallium stress test painful?
Most people tolerate the thallium stress test very well. You may feel a sting as the medication that simulates exercise is injected, followed by a warm feeling. Some people may experience headache, nausea, and a racing heart.
How accurate is thallium stress test?
Stress thallium-201 scanning was considerably more accurate and more specific than the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) as evidenced by a sensitivity of 83% compared to 55%, and a specificity of 94% compared to 82%.
What happens if you fail a stress test?
What HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE STRESS TEST? The short answer is, nothing happens. It is fairly common for some people to not be able to exercise enough to get their heart to work hard enough. When this happens, it is impossible for us to accurately assess the patients’ functional capacity.
What is the next step after a stress test?
If your stress test results suggest that you might have coronary artery disease or show an arrhythmia, your doctor will use the information to develop a treatment plan. You may need additional tests, such as a coronary angiogram.
Can you drive yourself home after a chemical stress test?
You will not be allowed to eat or drink until the medicine used to numb your throat wears off. This usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You may not drive yourself home after your test. Before coming for your test, arrange for someone to take you home afterwards.
