What To Expect Before a Nuclear Heart Scan
Talk to your doctor about how the nuclear heart scan
is done. Discussing your overall health, including health problems such as
asthma,
chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and kidney disease, is
important. If you have lung disease or diabetes, your doctor will give you
special instructions before the nuclear heart scan.
Also, let your doctor know about any medicines you
take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins,
minerals, and other supplements. Some medicines and supplements can cause
problems when used with adenosine, dipyridamole, or dobutamine (medicines used
to increase your heart rate during a
stress
test).
If you are having a stress test as part of your
nuclear heart scan, wear comfortable walking shoes and loose-fitting clothes
for the test. You may be asked to wear a hospital gown during the test.
A nuclear heart scan can take a lot of time. Most
take between 2 to 5 hours, especially if two sets of pictures are needed.
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