![]() The entire procedure should take about 10 to 15 minutes. The technician operates the scanner from a room next door, but can see and talk to you the entire time. You'll be asked to lie still and hold your breath for a few seconds while the pictures are taken. If you are nervous or anxious, you may be given medication to help you remain calm. You may be given medication either by pill or injection that slows your heart. Your head is outside the scanner the whole time. These connect to a device that records your heart activity during the exam and coordinates the timing of X-ray pictures between heartbeats, when the heart muscles are relaxed.ĭuring the heart scan, you lie on your back on a movable table, which slides into the tubelike CT scanner. What you can expect During the procedureīefore the scan begins, the technician attaches sensors, called electrodes, to your chest. ![]() You will also need to remove jewelry around your neck or near your chest. When you arrive for the procedure, you will be asked to remove clothing above the waist and to wear a medical gown. You may be asked to avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the test. What paperwork or identification will I need?.When scheduling your heart scan appointment, ask these questions: Also, there are less expensive blood tests and blood pressure monitoring that might offer similar information. ![]() These scans don't require a referral from a doctor and might not be covered by your insurance. Some medical facilities and walk-in centers advertise heart scans as an easy way to measure your risk of a heart attack. The amount of exposure is generally considered safe - about the same amount of radiation you're naturally exposed to in a year. Heart scans use X-ray technology, which exposes you to radiation. Your doctor can tell you if you might benefit from having a heart scan based on your risk factors.Ī heart scan may also help motivate people at moderate risk to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans. When is a heart scan used?Ī heart scan may help guide treatment if you have a low to moderate risk of heart disease or if your heart disease risk isn't clear. Plaque may also burst, triggering a blood clot that can cause a heart attack. These deposits can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart. It develops gradually over time, long before there are any signs or symptoms of disease. ![]() Plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. A heart scan provides an early look at levels of plaque. The scan creates multiple images that can show any plaque deposits in the blood vessels. Your doctor may order a heart scan to get a better understanding of your risk of heart disease or if your treatment plan is uncertain.Ī heart scan uses a specialized X-ray technology called multidetector row or multislice computerized tomography (CT). ![]()
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