Our services

Our imaging services include:

• Cardiovascular computer tomography: This test takes and puts together multiple x-rays using computers to create detailed images of the heart and vascular system.
• Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR): This test uses magnetic fields (without radiation) to create detailed images of the heart and vascular system.
• Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses ultrasound, or sound waves, to create detailed images of the heart muscle, and valves. These images can also measure the heart’s blood flow and function.
• Nuclear stress testing and nuclear imaging: A nuclear stress test uses an injected radioactive material to look at the blood flow through the heart during exercise conditions.
• Positron emission tomography (PET): At the Weatherhead PET Center, we provide advanced cardiac PET and cardiac PET-CT. PET-CT is like a nuclear stress test but can detect smaller changes in blood flow and changes to heart muscle cell function.
• Stress echocardiography: A stress echocardiogram uses ultrasound to see how the heart works under exercise conditions.
• Vascular ultrasound: Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed images of the carotid arteries, renal arteries and limb arteries.

When is cardiac imaging performed?

Health care providers utilize cardiovascular imaging for various reasons including:

• To screen for heart conditions
• To diagnose heart conditions
• To determine if a heart attack occurred and identify the extent of the damage
• To find the cause of symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.
• To monitor the heart to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment

Cardiac imaging can be helpful in diagnosing and managing many heart diseases and conditions including, but not limited to:

• Arrhythmias
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Congenital heart conditions
• Heart valve disease and more

How to prepare for cardiovascular imaging

Prior to your appointment, your health care provider will provide you with a detailed explanation of how to prepare for your specific test. Instructions may include:

• For stress testing and coronary angiograms: Avoid foods, beverages, and medications that contain caffeine
• For cardiac CT scans and cardiac MRIs, please refrain from wearing any jewelry
• For cardiac MRIs, remove hearing aids (if applicable), as well as glasses, clips, and other items that may contain metal
• Wear comfortable clothing with no metal as this can disrupt the scans

Be sure to communicate with your health care provider of any of the following:

• Your medical condition(s)
• Any current medications including prescription, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and recreational drugs
• Any medical devices such as pacemakers, mechanical valves, rods, or screws implanted in your body
• If you are pregnant

What are the risks of cardiac imaging?

Cardiovascular imaging is a safe process as the procedures are non-invasive (done without cutting the body or putting something into the body). On very rare occasions, some individuals will experience allergic reactions to the dye used in some cardiac imaging tests.