This type of stress test uses radioactive isotopes to look at blood flow to the heart and is monitored carefully so there is no damage to the heart.
Dear Dr. Roach: My 85-year-old mother-in-law had a mild heart attack a few days ago. She didn’t immediately take the nitroglycerin she had on hand. She has a pacemaker, and it reported the event to her heart doctor. Upon seeing the anomaly, her doctor called and asked her to undergo a nuclear stress test. She had one done eight years ago, and it made her very uncomfortable. She is fearful that she may not survive another one.
By contrast, a stress test after a heart attack is not a maximal effort. The person’s electrocardiogram is monitored carefully as the exercise level increases, and they are never allowed to get to the point where they can cause damage to their heart. She should be reassured that this stress test will be very different from her previous one. A “nuclear” stress test uses radioactive isotopes to look at blood flow to the heart during exercise and rest.
I did see one case where a gentleman in the cardiac ICU insisted on watching his favourite football team while awaiting cardiac surgery. This was a mistake, as he did have a heart attack during the game.
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