Thallium Stress Test

The thallium stress test is often done in conjunction with an exercise stress test on the bicycle or the treadmill. Technically this test is considered as a nuclear scanning test or myocardial perfusion imaging. This kind of test is necessary in order to show if how well the blood will flow to the muscles of the heart.

This kind of test has a number of usefulness and this is the reason why this is a popular test.

This is often conducted to know the extent of the coronary artery blockage in the patient and can be used as a prognosis of patients who suffered a heart attack.

The thallium stress test is also conducted to know the cause/s of chest pain that is experienced by a patient and this can be used as well to learn the level of exercise that can be performed by a patient in a safe manner.

But before a patient can undergo this kind of test, certain conditions must be met.

When a patient is expected to undergo this test, it is suggested that the patient should:

• Avoid caffeinated beverages
• Have a light meal
• Clear or full liquids instead

At the day of the said test, the patient will be requested to wear loose-fitting pants and convenient and comfortable tennis shoes. Typically a patient will be asked to undress down to the waist when test is about to take place. The cardiologist and a technician are the ones which usually conduct the thallium stress test.

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