Nuclear Testing
Cardiology Tests at Washington Township Medical Foundation
Washington Township Medical Foundation facilitates a number of advanced
diagnostics, including nuclear cardiology tests. These tests are a safe
way to obtain images of the heart that allow your doctor to receive vital
information about your heart function and health. On this page, learn
how nuclear cardiology testing works and what to expect during your appointment.
How Nuclear Cardiology Tests Work
Nuclear cardiology tests involve a tiny amount of radioactive tracer or
“radionuclide” injected into a vein. The radioactive dye goes
through your bloodstream and is picked up by your heart. A specialized
gamma camera is then able to capture both images and films of the heart
during a series of tests, including exercise or medication-induced stress
tests and then a period of rest. These images demonstrate blood flow in
your heart and rest and while undergoing exertion. Images depict places
where blood flow in your heart is low or where muscles are damaged.
What Is the Purpose of Nuclear Stress Testing?
If your doctor at Washington Township Medical Foundation recommends that
you undergo a nuclear stress test, it could be to:
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Learn about your heart’s size, shape, and function – Is your heart enlarged? How well is it functioning? Is muscle
damage affecting blood flow to your heart? These are questions that the
results of a nuclear test may be able to answer.
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Identify heart disease – Your doctor can use the results of a nuclear test to diagnose
coronary artery disease.
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Determine the best course of treatment for your condition – The results of your test can guide treatment decisions including
whether or not medications, heart catheterization, angioplasty, bypass
surgery, and / or stents are likely to help your condition. These results
can also point to answers such as whether or not lifestyle changes involving
nutrition and exercise are likely to make a difference in blood flow.