What happens during a myocardial perfusion scan?
Doctors can carry out myocardial perfusion scans in a number of ways. The test can be carried out while you are resting, after gentle exercise, or on two separate occasions to combine resting and exercising. The exact order in which the test is carried out varies between different hospitals. In an exercise test you may be given an injection of a medication that makes your heart beat faster and stronger. Some people find that this gives them a tingling feeling in the chest or palpitations (sensation that your heart is beating strongly). These sensations usually pass quickly after the test is over. When the heart is beating at a certain rate the radionuclide chemical is injected, usually into the hand. If you are able to, you may be asked to do some pedalling on an exercise bicycle during your test. The amount of activity you are asked to do will depend on your individual condition. You will usually be monitored during the test with an ECG (heart trace). This means that several sticky pa
