What is Nuclear Stress Testing?

When you develop symptoms (for symptoms click here) of heart disease it is time to look into what is causing them. To do that we need another Inner Imaging service and different equipment. We have both. This next step is a DIAGNOSTIC procedure known as Nuclear Cardiology. Commonly, it looks for blockages in the arteries, but it really does more. It....

• Is non-invasive, and safe…gives excellent information as to whether you have already had a heart attack or at elevated risk for heart attack.

• Detects clinically significant coronary artery disease. (excellent follow-up test if you have an elevated coronary calcium score) 

• Is a safe and useful test for patients with symptoms of heart disease or multiple risk factors for heart disease

• Is advisable before initiating an exercise program if you are over 40 and have more than one risk factor for CAD 

• Assesses damage to the heart muscle

• Ascertains if chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of coronary disease (dizzy, dyspnea, palpitations etc.) are related to blocked arteries

• Measures functional capacity of the heart in terms of how much exercise the patient can do compared with his/her peers

• Detects potentially dangerous arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) associated with exercise that can be treated before heart damage occurs 

• Measures ejection fraction of the heart (how much blood is pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat <contractile function>)

• Accurately measures the size and shape of the heart

• Is useful for predicting hypertension in the future if blood pressure is normal before exercise but rises excessively with exercise

• Includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) which represents the electrical activity of the heart

We also know that 56% of the men and women who pass their Nuclear Stress Test have significant coronary artery disease that went undetected!!!!!

So what can we do for them??

More than anyone else. Let us show you.

1. Nuclear Stress Testing. As part of our Nuclear Stress Test we include our preventive heart screening at no additional cost. Why? Our heart scan is 99% accurate in identifying coronary artery disease. If you pass your nuclear stress test it doesn’t mean you do not have coronary artery disease and we want to make sure of it. Our Nuclear Stress Testing is an insurance covered service.
2. And for those who don’t have a primary care physician or haven’t seen one in years we make it real easy. So what do you receive for your co-pay?? A lot:

   1. A Cardiac Consultation
   2. Medical History (with a focus on risk factors/symptoms of CAD)
   3. A Physical Exam 
   4. An Electro Cardio Gram (ECG)
   5. Blood Labs and
   6. Peace of Mind

3. So, to put this in perspective. For someone with cardiac symptoms we can provide more than $3,500 in healthcare value for the price of a patient’s co-pay.

In choosing Inner Imaging as your healthcare partner, we can provide you with a complete, comprehensive prevention and diagnostic pathway to manage your health care needs. It will save you money too. That is what prevention does!!! Our goal is to help keep you as healthy as we can, but when the body fails and needs some outside help then it is time for our diagnostic services.

What are the Cardiac Symptoms that would warrant considering Inner Imaging’s Nuclear Stress Test???????

If you received a 400 Calcium Score on our EBT Heart Scan or you received a 100 Calcium Score and you were in the 75% percentile for your age, a Nuclear Stress Test is clinically recommended.

Otherwise common symptoms are typically:

• Chest Pain
• Significant tightness in the chest; a heavy feeling, squeezing or crushing feeling in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Pain along the jaw line
• Radiating pain down the left arm (either arm for women)
• High Blood Pressure (140/90 or higher)
• Rapid heart rate, or irregular heart rate
• Dizziness with exertion
• Fatigue with any of the above symptoms

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If your not feeling well and are experiencing these symptoms; dial 911 immediately and go to your local emergency room. If these symptoms persist you may also call Inner Imaging at 212-777-8900 to set up an appointment.