Sign Up Now For HEALTHbeat Our FREE E-mail Newsletter Sign up for our FREE email newsletter and receive a FREE report, Living to 100: What's the secret? You'll receive weekly briefings with health information you can trust from the doctors at Harvard Medical School. [ Close Window ]

• Harvard Health Publications • Order the Book • Contact Us

Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter, HEALTHbeat.   Email address:     Incontinence Weight Loss Prostate Disease Vitamins and Minerals Aching Hands See All Titles Common Medical Conditions Wellness & Prevention Emotional Well Being & Mental Health Women’s Health Men’s Health Heart & Circulatory Health   contact us		How long is it before the result of the test is known? The results are usually available within a few hours, because the test is done only when you are suspected of having a potentially life-threatening condition (pulmonary embolus). Your doctor can interpret the pictures to determine whether your probability of having a blood clot in your lungs is high, low, or intermediate. If the probability is high, usually your doctor will order bloodthinning medicine. If it is low, he or she may not give immediate treatment, but will want to examine you again in a short time. If you face an intermediate risk, or if the V-Q scan cannot be clearly interpreted, your doctor may order a pulmonary angiogram (see page 8) to help determine whether you have a blood clot. This test is more definitive than a V-Q scan, but because it is more difficult and risky, the V-Q scan usually is done first. Would you like to:
		©2000–2006 President & Fellows of Harvard College

Close window