General information
A doctor has asked that we take some pictures of your heart to measure how well it is pumping blood around your body.
As the test involves small amounts of radiation, we ask that you are not accompanied by children under 18 or anyone who may be pregnant. You may bring one adult with you to the department.
If the appointment clashes with another outpatient appointment or test, or you are unable to attend on this day, please contact the Nuclear Medicine department on the number provided as soon as possible. We can then reschedule the test and assign the appointment to another patient.
If you have mobility issues, are incontinent or claustrophobic please contact the department on the number provided.
Benefit and risks of the test
Everyone receives some radiation every day from the radioactivity in the air, food we eat and even from space. The amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine test is similar to your natural exposure over two years. The risks linked with this are low.
The main benefit of the test is making the correct diagnosis, so you can get the treatment that is right for you. This benefit is far greater than the small risk from radiation.
If you have any concerns, please contact the department in advance or ask to speak to someone on the day of your scan.
Preparation
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you must inform the department as quickly as possible as special arrangements may have to be made.
Please bring with you a list of any medication that you are taking (your repeat prescription sheet if possible).
There is no special preparation required for this test. Please eat and drink as normal.
What does the test involve?
The test involves giving two small injections into one of the veins in your hands or arms about twenty minutes apart. The first injection prepares your blood for the test, and the second injection contains a radioactive tracer. There should be no ill effects from the injections.
You will then be asked to lie flat on a bed and ECG electrodes will be attached to you. We will then take pictures using a Gamma Camera (see photo below). This test may take up to 45 minutes.
After the pictures have been taken, you are free to leave the department.
After the test
For the rest of the day, you must take extra care to wash your hands thoroughly after toilet use, sit down when you use the toilet and to flush the toilet twice. You must also continue to drink extra fluids and empty your bladder frequently. This will improve the clearance of the radiation from your body.
When the test is completed, the images will be reviewed, and a report will be available to the doctor who has requested the test.
Radiation information
If you would like to find out more about medical radiation, please access the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/medical-radiation-uses-dose-measurements-and-safety-advice
The camera
The Gamma Camera used to take the pictures has an open design and the majority of patients complete the test without any discomfort.
Contact details
If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department on 01522 573103.