CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can someone drive home after a myocardial perfusion scan?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Hestonanswered
Family Medicine 31 years experience
Yes: You can drive home unless you are administered a medication for relaxation during the test as is sometimes necessary for people with severe claustrophobia. However, this is very, very rare because nuclear cameras are so open. Nearly 100% of the people who get a myocardial perfusion scan can drive home safely after the test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gerald Mandellanswered
Nuclear Medicine 54 years experience
Yes: No sedatives or anesthesia is used for myocardial scans. Isotopes that selectively go to heart muscle are used. These radio pharmaceuticals do not have any effect that would prevent driving home. If test includes physical stress, patient will recover to normal state before leaving department. Cardiologist is continually monitoring heart beat, blood pressure, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
Why would someone be scanned both front side and back during the myocardial perfusion scan?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Irv Lohanswered
Cardiology 43 years experience
Complete imaging: The heart is a 3 dimensional structure and the images are 2 dimensional. To completely visualize the entire heart, you need more than one view. Hard to fully describe the moon without flying around to the back side.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 36-year-old member asked:
How does the radioactivity affect someone after the myocardial perfusion scan?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Louis Grenzeranswered
Cardiology 57 years experience
Cancer risk: It is important to remember that tests commonly done, such as myocardial perfusion scans, ct scans, and plain xrays, expose you to radiation. It adds up. There is an increased incidence of cancer many years later. We cannot practice medicine without those tests but they should only be performed when absolutely necessary. You should question the need for tests involving radiation exposure.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 40-year-old member asked:
What is the purpose of a myocardial perfusion scan?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Milunskianswered
Cardiology 39 years experience
Nuclear stress test: This is a specialized form of stress test used to confirm the presence of coronary artery disease in patients suspected of having this problem. It uses a low-level nuclear tracer to assess blood flow to the heart muscle before and after exercise-induced stress. In patients who cannot exercise, other pharmacologic means can be used such as adenosine, lexiscan, persantine, or dobutamine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What is the function of a myocardial perfusion scan?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Sternanswered
Cardiology 48 years experience
Blood flow to heart: It shows blood flow to the heart. It can show old scar of a heart attack or heart muscle that is not getting enough blood , which could mean a future heart attack.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 15, 2017
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