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Nuclear Cardiac Imaging with Cardiolite®/Myoview®
Understanding Heart Disease
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your entire body.
The coronary arteries supply blood containing oxygen and other nutrients
to the heart muscle. However, these arteries can become blocked by the
accumulation of fatty substances (called lipids) This blockage is called
atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease (CAD). As CAD progresses,
the heart muscle may not receive enough blood, especially during times of
stress or physical activity. For some people, this will cause chest pain
(angina pectoris), breathlessness, and/or fatigue. For others, there may
be no symptoms to indicate that blood supply tot he heart is not sufficient.
However, if CAD goes undetected or untreated, there is the potential for
more serious complications to occur, such as a heart attack. But there
are risk factors that alert your doctor that you may be at risk for CAD.
Risk Factors for CAD
Family history
Overweight
Lack of physical activity
Smoking
Poor diet and excessive intake of alcohol
Presence of certain conditions (i.e., high blood pressure [hypertension], diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.)
Hormone status (as women pass through menopause their risk of CAD increases)
Increasing age
Race
Reasons Your Doctor May Want to Perform This Test
If you have chronic chest pain or angina-images provide valuable information as to why you may be experiencing chest pain
If you have recently experienced a heart attack-images can help your doctor visualize the extent of damage the heart underwent during the attack
If you are about to undergo surgery - images can help the doctor see if your heart is strong enough to withstand the stresses of along and/or complicated surgical and anesthetic procedure
Preparation:
You may have a light breakfast 2 hours prior to the test. NO CAFFEINE,
NICOTINE OR ALCOHOL should be consume 4 hours prior to the test.
Please wear comfortable, flat, walking shoes. TENNIS OR RUNNING SHOES
ARE PREFERRED. You should wear comfortable, loose fitting trousers or
slacks.
Your physician may ask you to withhold some of your medicines. Please
discuss this with your physician prior to the day of the test.
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