COMPREHENSIVE STRESS TESTING

• Nuclear Stress Test: This non-invasive test helps determine blood flow to the heart and heart function. A very small and harmless amount of radioactive substance is injected into the patient. Then the doctor uses a special camera to identify the rays emitted from the substance within the body; this produces clear pictures of the heart muscle on a monitor. These pictures are done both at rest and after exercise. Using this technique, a less than normal amount of the nuclear marker will be seen in those areas of the heart that have a decreased blood supply.


• Multigated Acquisition Scan (MUGA): A nuclear scan that evaluates the pumping function of the ventricles.