What to expect during a Myocardial Perfusion (Heart) Scan

One of our friendly staff will contact you before your appointment to discuss the preparation for the test as well as any medication you are currently taking. If possible, we will also email you an information sheet and consent form for you to fill in and bring with you.

This scan looks at the blood flow to the muscle in your heart. It is usually performed over 2 days. On the first day, you will be given a small injection into a vein usually in your arm. This injection contains a small amount of a radioactive tracer (not a dye) which gets absorbed into the heart muscle over a period of 1-3 hours. Side effects from the injection are extremely rare (you may notice a metallic taste whilst being given the injection) and it is a very safe procedure.

After the injection you are free to leave and you will be given an appointment to return 1-3 hours later for some pictures. During this time, you will be asked to have something to eat and drink which helps improve the quality of our pictures.

We will then take some pictures for 30-40 minutes and you will need to lay on a bed, relax and keep very still. After your scan you are free to go and there are no restrictions on what you can do.

The second part of the scan is the stress test. For this part, you must fast for 4 hours prior to your appointment and avoid caffeine for 24 hours prior. You will have a drip placed into a vein in your arm and will be given an injection over a few minutes which will make the blood vessels in your heart expand. Complications are rare and you will be constantly monitored by an experienced doctor for any symptoms as well as having your blood pressure and ECG watched during this part of the test. There may be some side effects to this part of the test and more information will be given to you on day 1. You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Once the stress test is nearly complete, you will be given a small injection through the drip in your arm. This injection contains a small amount of radioactive tracer (not a dye) which gets absorbed into the heart muscle over a period of 1-3 hours (this injection is the same as day 1).

You will then be given something to eat and drink and pictures will be taken 1-2 hours later. It is best you remain in our rooms during this time. The same pictures as day 1 will then be taken for 30-40 minutes and you will need to lay on a bed, relax and keep very still.