Activate Your Heart - Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme
University Hospitals of Leicester - NHS Trust



Test

What is a radioisotope heart scan?

There are three different types of scan.

Exercise heart scan

With this test a small amount of radioactivity is used to trace the blood flow to the heart while you are on a treadmill. A scan carried out approximately one hour later will allow us to record this blood flow.

Resting heart scan

With this test a small amount of radioactivity is used to trace the blood flow to the heart while you are resting. A scan carried out approximately one hour later will allow us to record this blood flow.

The findings of this scan will be compared against any other tests you have, such as an exercise heart scan or pharmacological heart scan.

Pharmacological heart scan

With this test a small amount of radioactivity is used after you have been given a drug that mimics the effect exercise has on the heart. Again, a scan will allow us to record this blood flow.