Patient Education

Heart Health Library

Our Health Library does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their heart health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Lung Nuclear Medicine Scan

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho.

A lung scan is a test that uses a radioactive tracer to look at the lungs. Areas of the lung that retain too much air show up as bright or "hot" spots on the pictures. Areas that are not receiving enough air show up as dark or "cold" spots.

Figure 1 shows normal blood flow in healthy lungs. Figure 2 shows dark areas where blood clots (pulmonary emboli) are preventing normal blood flow through the lungs.

Current as of: July 26, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.