Myocardial perfusion test

[Lellibet]

hi , got my referral today for myocardial perfusion test at 5he John Radcliffe. Seems I must have this before going forward with anymore medication. Does everyone have this test ? I believe it’s to check for any others abnormalities in the heart.

[jeanjeannie50]

I had a cardio angiogram before my first ablation. Don't know how different that is to what you had. So many confusing new fangled tests these days. Jean

[ozziebob]

Not had such a test, and no, not a common procedure. But your Post peaked my interest to know more, so, with apologies for quoting ChatGPT (much against my own advice), this answer might help us both ...

A myocardial perfusion test (also called a nuclear stress test or cardiac perfusion scan) is a non-invasive imaging test used to evaluate how well blood flows through your heart muscle (myocardium), both at rest and during stress (like exercise).

Why it's done:

To detect coronary artery disease (CAD)—blockages or narrowing in heart arteries

To assess damage after a heart attack

To evaluate chest pain or shortness of breath

To check how well treatments (like bypass surgery or stents) are working

How it works:

1. A small amount of radioactive tracer (like thallium or technetium) is injected into your bloodstream.

2. A special camera (called a gamma camera) takes images of your heart at rest and after stress (caused either by exercise or a drug that simulates exercise).

3. The images show how well blood is reaching different parts of the heart muscle.

What it shows:

Normal perfusion: Blood is flowing well during rest and stress.

Reversible defect: Blood flow is reduced during stress but normal at rest (suggests a blockage that might be fixed).

Fixed defect: Blood flow is always reduced (suggests scarring from a past heart attack).

I do hope there's nothing misleading in this ChatGPT answer, an ever-present concern when using ChatGPT.

Good luck with your test.

[Lellibet in reply to ozziebob]

Thank you so much that was v kind .

[ozziebob]

And I just used the HU Search 🔍 option to find past Posts and Replies on this topic which could be helpful ...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Twosumsmum]

I had nuclear stress tests , thank fully the test results showed not only enough to confirm a diagnosis, as well as showing I had been having heart attacks that had left scaring to my heart . It was a two part test . Week one after coming off my heart meds for 3 or 4 days , I walked on a treadmill until I got symptoms or my ECG showed changes and a nuclear isotope was injected then a couple of hours later after a meal that included something a bit greasy ( I chose donuts ) a san was performed )

The next week all I had done was the scan with the isotope, and scan straight away ( this bit showed any old ischaemic areas ) .

I cried with relief when I went for the results, the consultant had been saying there was nothing wrong with me probably indigestion or being a paranoid women who needed a k.less tight bra .

To the registra saying I had prinzmetals and maybe Syndrome X as well and I need a barrow full of cardiac meds .

I think some hospitals now do not make you walk on a treadmill instead use medication to speed up your heart rate . You still need to stop t your meds for a few days

[Lellibet in reply to Twosumsmum]

Sorry to hear you seem to have had quite a time. We never seem to be taken seriously by a lot of doctors etc when I think we know our bodies and I think usually not always we know when something is wrong. I was the same going back to doctors and a& e as told by 111 when my a fibb was getting worse , only to be told it’s just palpitations nothing more and it’s normal. Still hopefully getting help now. Take care x