What Is Nuclear Cardiology?

Every year, more than 500,000 men and women die from heart disease. Science has since enabled physicians to diagnose heart ailments, thus improving treatment options, so the patient can live a more fulfilled life. One such innovation is nuclear cardiology.

What is Nuclear Cardiology?

Nuclear cardiology is a leading advancement in the diagnosing and treating of heart disease. It is a noninvasive technique to determine the myocardial (muscular heart tissue) blood flow.

Methods of Nuclear Cardiology

Nuclear cardiology evaluates the heart muscles’ pumping function. One method of measure is myocardial perfusion imaging, which determines the blood flow to the heart. This can be done one of two ways: through exercise, typically on a treadmill or a stationary bike; or a chemical stress test that uses the drug dipyridamole, adenosine or dobutamine, which is given to those unable to exercise. The drug provides similar results as those who can exercise.

Uses for Nuclear Cardiology

Nuclear cardiology has proven to be the most useful method to measure the size and severity of a heart attack. Nuclear cardiology has also been proven useful when diagnosing and treating other heart ailments.

Nuclear Cardiology Foundation

The Nuclear Cardiology Foundation is affiliated with the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. Their objective is to promote a healthy lifestyle by raising heart disease awareness. By doing this, they are making an effort to educate others of their field, to support and encourage both innovated basic and clinical research, and to incorporate other technologies in their research. They especially need fields related to theirs.