How many hours before a PET scan should patients refrain from exercising?

Patients should refrain from exercising for 24 hours before a PET scan to ensure optimal imaging results. Physical activity can influence glucose metabolism and blood flow, potentially leading to elevated radiotracer uptake in muscles, which may result in artifacts or false-positive findings on the scan.

By abstaining from exercise for a full day prior to the procedure, patients allow their bodies to return to a baseline state, reducing the risk of interference with the distribution of the radiotracer. This is particularly important for scans assessing metabolic processes, where accurate understanding of tissue activity is critical for diagnostic purposes.

Maintaining this time frame ensures clarity in interpretations and enhances the reliability of the PET scan results, aiding in effective clinical decision-making.