Nuclear Stress Test Specialist

Heart Care of Conroe

Cardiovascular Disease Specialist located in Conroe, TX

If you need diagnostic testing for unexplained chest pain or shortness of breath, you may be a candidate for nuclear stress testing. Board-certified cardiovascular specialist Alan Mobley, MD, offers comprehensive nuclear stress testing in-office at Heart Care of Conroe. Dr. Mobley can use the results of nuclear stress testing to customize a treatment plan for coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. To learn more about the benefits of nuclear stress testing, call the office in Conroe, Texas, today or book a consultation online.

936-220-2909

Nuclear Stress Testing Q & A

What is nuclear stress testing?

A nuclear stress test creates pictures of your heart to evaluate the efficiency of the blood flowing through it during rest and while you’re physically active.

The test is minimally invasive and involves an injection of a radioactive tracer into your bloodstream. A positron emission technology (PET) scanner follows the tracer to provide detailed information about your heart.

Dr. Mobley may recommend nuclear stress testing if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or other symptoms of heart disease. You may also need nuclear stress testing if you have risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

If you’re already receiving treatment for coronary artery disease, you may need nuclear stress testing to ensure your treatment is working well.

What happens during nuclear stress testing?

During your appointment for nuclear stress testing, you will need an intravenous line (IV) in your arm. Dr. Mobley injects the radioactive tracer into your bloodstream.

While you wait for your heart cells to absorb the tracer, he places electrode sensors on your chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes connect to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine that records information about your heart’s electrical activity.

During the exercise part of your test, you remain connected to the EKG while you walk on a treadmill and your heart rate reaches a set target. Dr. Mobley then uses the PET scan machine to take pictures of your heart.

During the resting part of the test, you receive another injection of a radioactive tracer while you lay still on an exam table. Dr. Mobley takes a second set of images of your heart to compare with the first.

How long does it take to get the results of nuclear stress testing?

After your nuclear stress test, Dr. Mobley will discuss your results. If he identifies any issues that limit blood flow to your heart during rest or exercise, you may need additional diagnostic testing to identify cardiovascular blockages.

If any blockages are severe, you may need procedures like angioplasty or open-heart surgery to clear them and improve blood flow through your heart.

To find out if you need nuclear stress testing, call Heart Care of Conroe today or book a consultation online.