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Heart Disease: How Can
PET Make a Difference?
PET scans of the heart make possible the study and
quantification of various aspects of heart tissue
function. Clinical studies show an important role for
PET in diagnosing patients, describing disease and
developing treatment strategy. Two areas of clinical
application have emerged:
PET is the most accurate test to reveal whether or not a
patient has coronary artery disease and impaired blood
flow.
PET is the gold standard in determining the viability of
heart tissue for revascularization. PET can determine if
bypass surgery or a transplant would be the appropriate
treatment.
The American Heart Association says the body will likely
send one or more of these warning signals of a heart
attack: uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or
pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few
minutes; pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms;
chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting,
sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans today,
and a heart attack is the most visible sign of heart
disease. Looking at specific age groups, cardiovascular
disease is No. 1 for age 65 and older; second for ages
25-64; third for ages 0-14; and fifth for ages 15-24.
Heart disease is also the number one killer of American
women.
The American Heart Association says the warning signs of
stroke are: sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or
leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden
confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden
trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble
walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;
sudden, severe headache with no known cause. |
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