What Are The Side Effects & Risks of a Cardiac PET Scan?

Side effects may include:

• Some temporary redness and pain on the skin where you had your IV
• An allergic reaction to the radiotracers’ radiation. This is very rare and the amount of radiation exposure is low

Risks for certain people include:

• A cardiac PET scan can harm a fetus or infant, so let your provider know if you’re pregnant or nursing.
• People who have diabetes may not get accurate test results.
• People who feel anxious in small spaces may be uncomfortable during the scan. However, you can ask for a sedative before your scan.