A cardiac pet scan is a diagnostic test that monitors heart conditions. This guide breaks down the test and the benefits. It also breaks down the best time to get a cardiac heart scan.
What is a Cardiac Heart Scan
The technology that powers cardiac pet scan equipment helps doctors examine how a heart functions. During a scan, advanced equipment monitors key organs and tissues using a device that has radioactive tracers. The tracers are very important as they’re able to detect signals that can indicate medical problems. When all scans are done, the hardware generates multiple images using data from the signals, and this is how the doctors obtain a highly detailed map of a heart.
The Benefits of a Pet Scan
This scan is helpful because it can effectively measure how well blood circulates between heart muscles and various arteries. It helps doctors pinpoint injured tissues by producing vibrant high-resolution images. However, the biggest benefit is that one scan gives a doctor valuable information that can indicate whether or not a patient will require surgery.
When to Get a Cardiac Heart Scan
You should get a pet scan during the following situations:
- You have very high cholesterol.
- You’ve been diagnosed with CAD at the doctor’s office.
- A doctor needs to evaluate blockages to prevent health problems.
This guide should help you better understand different aspects of a pet scan. If you need a pet scan, contact Cardiac Imaging, Inc. and set up an appointment today.