Nuclear Medicine Scan of Cardiac - Perfusion Spect
This non-invasive nuclear medicine imaging test uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to evaluate blood flow to your heart muscle at rest and during stress, to identify areas of reduced blood supply or permanent heart muscle damage. It does not use iodine-based contrast dye, requires no special preparation, and carries no claustrophobia risk as it does not require enclosure in a narrow scanner tube. The actual image capture process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
A SPECT myocardial perfusion scan is a safe, non-invasive cardiac imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to measure blood flow to your heart muscle to diagnose coronary artery disease, heart attack damage, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Key facts at a glance
- Modality
- nuclear
- Body part
- chest · cardiac
- Ionizing radiation
- true
- Radiation dose
- 6
- Duration (min)
- 10
- Pregnancy safe
- false
- Pediatric safe
- true
- Breastfeeding safe
- false
- Claustrophobia risk
- none
- Metal implant safe
- safe
- Sedation
- none
- LOINC
- 39144-1
- SNOMED
- 241439007
- Result turnaround
- 24-48h
- Availability
- routine
- Setting
- outpatient
- Cost tier
- high
What Is a SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Scan?
This specialized cardiac imaging test, short for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Scan, works by injecting a tiny, clinically approved dose of radioactive tracer into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your bloodstream and is absorbed by healthy, well-perfused heart muscle tissue, allowing a specialized gamma camera to capture cross-sectional 3D images that show exactly which areas of your heart are receiving adequate blood flow and which are receiving too little. Most patients complete two sets of scans during their appointment: one set while their heart is at rest, and a second set while their heart is under stress (either from gentle treadmill exercise or a medication that safely mimics the effects of exercise for patients who cannot walk) to compare blood flow in different states and identify blockages or damage.
Clinical Applications for Cardiovascular Care
This test is a core diagnostic and monitoring tool for a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including: diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common heart condition caused by fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, to identify blockages that reduce blood flow; mapping areas of permanent heart muscle scar tissue from a prior heart attack; evaluating unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations to determine if symptoms are linked to reduced heart blood flow; assessing overall heart pumping function in patients with known heart disease to guide treatment planning; and monitoring the effectiveness of cardiac treatments such as stent placement, bypass surgery, or medication adjustments to confirm improved blood flow to the heart muscle.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
No special preparation is required before your scan, and you may eat, drink, and take your regular medications as normal unless your care team gives you different instructions. While the total appointment time is longer to account for tracer injection and waiting for the tracer to circulate, the actual time you will need to lie still for the camera to capture images is approximately 10 minutes. There is no claustrophobia risk with this scan, as you will not be enclosed in a narrow, tight scanner tube during imaging.
How to read the report
- Results reviewed by radiologist.
What Is This Procedure?
This nuclear medicine scan evaluates cardiac, specifically heart. Uses controlled radiation to create detailed images.
What Does It Show?
Detailed images of heart. Part of the cardiovascular system.
Common Uses
This exam is commonly used to detect arterial blockages, evaluate blood flow, identify aneurysms, and assess vascular disease.
What to Expect
The procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.
Severe pain at procedure site
urgentWorsening severe pain with fever or other symptoms. Go to urgent care or ER.
Mild symptoms after procedure
promptMild discomfort or symptoms that don't improve. Contact your doctor.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 9, 2026. · Read our editorial policy