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Nuclear Testing Specialist

Premier Cardiology Consultants -  - Cardiologist

Premier Cardiology Consultants

Cardiologists located in New Hyde Park, Lake Success, Rochdale, Richmond Hill, Forest Hills & Jamaica, NY

Need a clear image of your heart’s health? Nuclear testing provides your cardiologist with a detailed, surgery-free picture of the inner workings of your heart. The top-rated specialists at Premier Cardiology Consultants use this advanced technology to identify how your heart functions at rest and with exertion. With locations in New Hyde Park on Long Island, and Forest Hills, Rochdale, Jamaica, and Richmond Hill in Queens, New York, Premier Cardiology Consultants offers convenience as well as state-of-the-art cardiology care for New York residents of all ages. Schedule your visit today. Call the office or book an appointment online.

Nuclear Testing Q & A

What is nuclear testing?

Also widely referred to as nuclear stress testing and/or myocardial perfusion imaging, nuclear testing requires injecting a carefully measured, safe amount of a radioactive substance into your bloodstream. 

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist then uses cutting-edge digital photography to capture detailed images of the blood flow through your heart. 

It’s a two-part diagnostic workup, performed on one day, which takes several hours to complete. The test includes studies of your heart function during exercise and as you rest.  

What are the benefits of a nuclear stress test?

Compared to a traditional stress test, which may include ultrasound imagery to show your heart function, the nuclear stress test provides much more detailed information and a clearer image of what’s occurring in and near your heart as you rest or exercise.

Your cardiologist may recommend a nuclear stress test as a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can help identify:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Damage to your heart muscle after a previous/silent heart attack
  • Cause of chest pain, shortness of breath, and other potentially cardiac-related symptoms
  • How much exercise your heart can handle

If you’ve already been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a nuclear stress test can also help determine how well your current treatment is working.

Who is a good candidate for cardiac nuclear testing?

Your cardiologist may recommend nuclear stress testing if you’re having certain concerning symptoms, which may include:

  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Unexplained weakness or fatigue

Unfortunately, heart disease often has few symptoms until the condition has advanced.

Other candidates for nuclear stress testing may include those at higher risk of developing CAD, such as individuals with:

  • Diabetes
  • Long-term or uncontrolled hypertension
  • Obesity
  • Family history of early cardiac disease/death
  • History of smoking

Your age, postmenopausal state for women, and significantly elevated “bad” cholesterol levels may also indicate the need for a nuclear stress test.

Is cardiac nuclear testing safe?

Nuclear stress testing is safe overall. Complications are rare, which your Premier Cardiology Consultants expert discusses in detail before scheduling the study. Most often, however, the benefits of the study far outweigh the risks.

Schedule a consultation regarding nuclear stress testing today. Call Premier Cardiology Consultants or book your visit online.