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Doctor insights on: Nuclear Cardiology

Radiation exposure: There most certainly is radiation exposure with nuclear cardiology stress testing whether it is with thallium, sestamibi, or any of the pet imaging agents. The exposure is minimal but real and the risk vs. Benefit to the patient needs to be considered before ordering the study. Pregnant women should not have these studies and young women can have a very small but increased risk of breast cancer. ...Read more

Stress test: A nuclear stress test detects blood supply to the heart. A radioactive tracer is injected into the veins at peak exercise or with a vasodilator. The tracer is taken up by the heart cells and the uprake is proportional to blood flow. By comparing uptake at rest versus exercise we can determine if blood flow is compromised. ...Read more

Not exactly the same: Different type of stress test are available (ekg treadmill, pharmacological or treatmill echo, pharma or treadmill nuclear). They all try to answer one question: are there blockages in the artery of the heart that cause insufficient blood supply to the heart under stress? Calcium score tells you what is the burden of atherosclerosis (the disease that causes blockages in the artery) in your artery. ...Read more

Same & different: The warm flush of a nuclear stress if from regadenoson or adenosine. A coronary CTA uses iodinated x-ray contrast agent - completely different. However, the feeling may feel similar. A flush is a flush. Niacin can do this too. So can being embarrassed. ...Read more

Heart specialty : Cardiology is a specialty in medicine dealing with disorders of the heart. ...Read more

What do : You mean by a cardiology exam? Consult your doctor; they may refer you to a cardiologist. ...Read more

Branch of Cardiology: It is a branch of cardiology that deals with Catheter Based Treatment of Structural Heart Diseses It involves Cardiac Cathetrization and procedures like Angioplasty and stents placement and following procedures Valvuloplasty dilation of valves Congenital Heart Defect corection like ASD,VSD&PDA Percutaneous Valve Repair or Repacement Coronary Thrombectomy Vast Scope ...Read more

Consult: The Cardiologist and his/her staff will talk with you to get a medical history, do a physical exam (not a complete one like when you get an annual physical), and some simple tests may be done during that first visit. Based on what is found, further tests may be ordered. Be prepared to ask questions and get all your concerns addressed. ...Read more

Abnormal test: It's a too broad of question to answer. If you have specific test in mind then it will be easier to answer as there are quite a few tests in cardiology. ...Read more

Consult: A cardiology consultation usually consists of a history and physical exam with the cardiologist. The Doc will review in detail any records and data available on the patient. Generally the Doc will discuss the findings and what the Doctor believes needs to be done for the patient. Additional testing or examinations may be recommended and specific treatments may be recommended. ...Read more

Yes. : Height and weight are important to calculate body mass index and body surface area which are very relevant to heart and overall health. ...Read more

Avoiding disease: Working on cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, weight to try and prevent heart disease. ...Read more

MIBI: Identifying possible regions of ischemia and the need for revascularization. ...Read more

Helps Both Sides: A biv (biventricular pacemaker) helps coordinate 2 of the hearts 4 chambers proper heart beat so they can pump more effectively. This implanted device is placed in patients with advanced heart failure. Sequential pacing helps move blood through the heart in a stronger progression. Improves quality of life, ability to exercise, decreases hospitalizations, can lengthen life. ...Read more

Nuclear stress test: You would use that for a nuclear stress test. ...Read more

Littman: Stethescopes.

Board Certified: One is board certified when it has been verified that they have all the required training at recognized institutions to be a cardiologist and have passed the examinations to demonstrate the knowledge to safely practice in the field of cardiology. ...Read more

Many: You can be an ekg technician, echocardiography technician, stress test technician, nuclear cardiology technician, cardiac catheterization laboratory technician, vascular technician to name a few. ...Read more

No change: These are 2 ways of saying the same thing. They both say that the septum (wall) between the two atria (upper chambers of heart) is not allowing any blood to flow through it. This is normal. ...Read more

Be reassured: Sometimes it is more important to know where the pain is not coming from. In your case, they told you it is not the heart and that should be reassuring. There are multiple reasons for chest pain and it may be difficult or impossible to find the one. Discuss it again with your pcp or cardiologist because pain is still pain but if it is not the heart, it is unlikely to be dangerous. ...Read more