Care After nuclear heart scan Dos and don'ts

8/06/1404
9 minutes

Nuclear heart scan is one of the most advanced and common methods in medical imaging that helps doctors to carefully examine the function of the heart and the blood flow in the coronary arteries. This method is performed using safe radioactive materials and in very small amounts, and due to its high accuracy, it is used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases, narrowing of arteries, reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, and even predict the possibility of a heart attack. However, it should be noted that the scanning process is only part of the diagnosis path, and its real importance is determined when the patient takes care after the nuclear heart scan seriously. As soon as the test is over, many patients think that everything is over and they can return to their daily activities without restrictions. But the fact is that the body is host to radioactive substances for a short period of time after the scan, and in this critical period, paying attention to health, nutritional and lifestyle tips plays an important role in the health and comfort of a person.

In this article, we will discuss the dos and don'ts after a heart scan in a comprehensive and detailed manner. First, we discuss the importance of care, then we examine the proper diet after the scan, we explain common side effects such as nausea, and finally, we introduce alternative methods of heart scanning, including stress echo and angiography.

Why is care after a nuclear heart scan important?

Next From the scan, the person's body contains a small amount of radioactive material. These substances are usually eliminated from the body within a few hours to a maximum of one day. Although their amount is very low and safe, following some recommendations will help to get rid of it faster and reduce the possibility of discomfort.

Care after a nuclear heart scan is important in several ways:

Reduction of side effects:

Symptoms such as nausea, headache, weakness or feeling tired can occur after the scan. With care, these symptoms will either not occur or their severity will be much less.

Rapid removal of radioactive substances:

Drinking fluids and choosing the right diet helps the body to get rid of the injected substances sooner. It is important.

Quicker return to normal conditions:

The right care makes a person return to normal life and daily activities much sooner. What should we eat for a heart scan so that the body returns to normal faster and the possibility of side effects decreases? The answer to this question requires a detailed explanation about the type of food, the amount of liquid, and even the timing of meals. One of these very important points that must be taken into account is drinking liquids. The first and most important advice is to drink plenty of water. The body needs water to eliminate radioactive substances. Doctors recommend drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water in the first 24 hours after the scan. In addition to water, the use of soft drinks such as pale green tea or chamomile tea, as well as natural juices are also useful. Consuming heavy, fatty and fried foods can put pressure on the stomach and increase the likelihood of nausea or indigestion. Instead, small but frequent, light and low-fat meals are the best choice.

Recommended foods

Dilute and low-fat soup: these types of food are easy to digest and are effective in preventing nausea.
Steamed chicken or fish: these foods are a source of light and healthy protein.
Brown rice or whole grain bread: These foods are very effective for providing sustainable energy.
Fresh fruits (apples, bananas, oranges): they are used to provide fiber and vitamins to improve metabolism.

Forbidden or restricted foods

Be careful that after doing this test, you should leave some foods for a while or limit their consumption.

Fried and fatty foods
Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
Salty and processed foods
Spices and spicy foods that can irritate the stomach

In general, the diet after a heart scan should be light, low-fat, and rich in fiber so as not to stress the digestive system and help eliminate excess substances from the body. Slow.

Common complications after nuclear heart scan

Limiting close contact with young children and pregnant women in the first 24 hours

Don'ts:

After this test, you should avoid doing a series of things, the most important of which are: Overdose

Ignoring warning signs such as severe nausea, dizziness or chest pain

Alternative heart scan methods

Sometimes the patient's condition or medical limitations make a nuclear heart scan not the most appropriate choice. In these cases, alternative methods are used that are highly accurate and are among the specialized services of heart clinics.

Stress echo

Stress echo or echocardiography under pressure is a non-invasive method in which the function of the heart is checked by using sound waves and increasing the heart rate (through exercise or medication). The advantages of echo stress include:

No use of radioactive materials
Suitable for people who have restrictions on injections
Easy repeatability and no complications

Read about this: Stress Echocardiography

Angiography

Cardiac angiography is another accurate and widely used method for examining coronary arteries. In this method, a contrast material is injected into the veins and then the condition of the vessels is checked using X-rays.

Angiography can determine the exact location of the blockage or narrowing of the arteries.
In many cases, the doctor decides on stenting or surgery based on the results of the angiography.
Although this method is more invasive than nuclear scanning, it is necessary and unavoidable in certain cases.

Speech Conclusion

Care after nuclear heart scan is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment process. Adhering to a light diet, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding heavy activities and paying attention to warning signs will help the patient return to the normal state faster.

Also, it should be known that the heart scan is only one of the diagnostic tools and there are other methods such as stress echo and angiography that can be more suitable options in certain situations. In the end, the best solution is for the patient to follow his doctor's recommendations carefully and if any unusual problem occurs, go to the medical center immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go home immediately after the nuclear heart scan?

Yes, this test is usually done on an outpatient basis and the patient can go home the same day. It is recommended to rest and not engage in strenuous activity for the first few hours.

Is nausea normal after a heart scan?

Yes, many patients experience mild nausea, which is usually temporary. Fluid consumption, light food and rest are the best ways to reduce this problem.

What food is more suitable after a nuclear heart scan?

Light, low-fat and high-fiber foods are the best options. Thin soup, steamed chicken or fish, boiled rice and fresh fruits are recommended. It is also very important to drink plenty of water.

Is it dangerous to be in contact with others after a nuclear heart scan?

No, the amount of radioactive material is very low. However, it is better to limit close contact with children and pregnant women in the first 24 hours.