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Cardiolite Stress Test



 Submitted by Nic on September 8, 2011
A stress test is a procedure used to determine if the heart is functioning properly. There are a number of different issues that could plague the heart such as valve malfunctions or insufficient blood flow to the heart. During rest, the heart beats very slowly as the body does not need too much oxygen or nutrition to be transported about. However, when the body is under strain, the heart has to pump more blood in order to feed the increased needs of the body. The heart itself will also need increased blood supply as its muscles will need more energy in order to be able to pump as hard as is required. One may therefore use a nuclear stress test to check if the heart is being nourished properly.

The cardiolite stress test is a test using a branded radioactive marker known as cardiolite. The use of a radioactive marker enables the doctor to trace the flow of the blood to and from the muscles of the heart. The cardiolite stress test can thus be used to check for any blockages or abnormalities in the blood flow to the heart. This will enable preventive action to be taken before there is any serious cardiac event.

The cardiolite stress test procedure begins with the tracer being injected into the body of the patient. The patient is then made to run on a treadmill so that his or her body is exercised. Once the heart is beating rapidly, scans are conducted from various different angles. These scans are used to check the flow of blood. Scanning may even be live so that the flow speed and effectiveness can be judged on a real time basis. The recording of this flow is used when determining the cardiolite stress test results. In most cases, the images are viewed repeatedly so that a thorough analysis of the condition can be made.

There are very few cardiolite stress test side effects. One may consider a serious cardiac event as a side effect but this is caused by the heart being weak and not by the test or the use of the radioactive tracer dye. Patients who have a history of heart trouble may be given lighter tests so as to not trigger any major event. The cardiolite stress test can be undertaken within the span of a day with the individual returning home after the test has been completed.
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