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Nuclear Cardiology
Nuclear cardiology is an imaging technique which utilizes isotopes to measure the blood flow to the different regions of the heart muscle. It is usually performed in conjunction with a treadmill exercise test, although other methods are available for individuals who are unable to exercise adequately.
The test is non-invasive and helps cardiologists determine if blockages in the individual coronary arteries (the blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart) are likely to exist and if further testing, namely coronary angiography, is needed. This testing can also help determine if a person is at risk for a heart attack in the near future and can assess the extent and magnitude of a previous heart attack.
Nuclear cardiology is also used to assess the pumping function of the heart, the metabolism of the heart muscle and the presence of defects among the individual chambers of the heart.