Detect and monitor heart disease with cardiac imaging
Cardiac imaging captures images of your heart. Your provider may order cardiac imaging to evaluate your risk for cardiovascular conditions, investigate the cause of your symptoms or confirm a diagnosis. You may also need cardiac imaging to determine if a medication or other heart disease treatment is working properly.
When is cardiac imaging performed?
Your cardiologist can use cardiac imaging to detect many heart and vascular conditions. A few of them include:
Cardiac computed tomography (CT)
A cardiac CT scan of the heart takes multiple X-ray images to create a detailed, 3D picture of your heart muscle and blood vessels. In some cases, your doctor may use a contrast dye to get a better view of your blood vessels.
Contrast dyes often contain iodine, which can cause a reaction in people with an iodine allergy. Let your imaging team know beforehand if you know you have an iodine allergy. If you do, they can use steroids and antihistamines to prevent an allergic reaction.
Cardiac CT scans can show:
- Blockages in your arteries, which may contribute to aneurysms and heart attacks
- Calcium deposits in your arteries, which is used to determine your calcium score, a test that can help determine your risk for heart attack or other heart events
- How well blood flows through the heart, which helps determine if you have heart valve issues
- How well your heart pumps blood, which can help your doctor understand your risk for heart failure
What to expect during cardiac CT
- Cardiac CT scanners are large, doughnut-shaped devices. You lie on a padded table that slides through the scanner’s opening, and the machine takes X-ray images of your heart.
- You will need to lie very still, and the radiologic technologist may ask you to hold your breath to minimize body movement while the images are taken. The technologist will monitor you during the entire exam through a window and communicate with you through an intercom if you need help or feel uncomfortable.
- The length of the exams can vary but plan on the test-taking up to an hour. Tests that involve dyes may take longer.
- After the test, a radiologist will read your images and send a report to your physician, who will discuss the results with you and plan the next steps.
Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scans
Sometimes called nuclear imaging, cardiac PET scans combine imaging with a special radioactive substance that helps doctors more easily identify heart problems, such as:
- Damage a heart attack may have caused
- Issues with how blood flows through your heart, which can help them diagnose coronary artery disease
- Whether you would benefit from a specific treatment, such as angioplasty and stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting
Cardiac PET scans may also be used during a type of heart stress test called a pharmacologic stress test. This test helps doctors understand how well your heart works while it’s under stress. Before the test begins, you receive medication that makes your heart beat faster. Images of your heart are then taken with a PET scanner.
Before a heart PET scan, you receive a small amount of radioactive tracer called a radionuclide. The PET scanner detects the tracer and creates detailed 3D images.
The radioactive tracer poses very little risk to most people. Your body eliminates it through urine and bowel movements. However, women who are pregnant, nursing or who think they may be pregnant should not receive cardiac PET scans.
What to expect during a cardiac PET scan
The tests begin with you having an IV placed in a vein in your arm so you can receive the radioactive tracers. You’ll also have a blood pressure cuff placed on one arm and electrodes placed on your chest so your imaging team can monitor your blood pressure and take an electrocardiogram during the test. If you’re having a pharmacologic stress test, you will also receive medication to dilate your arteries.
When ready for imaging, you will be asked to lie on an exam table with your arms above your head. The PET scanner will take images from different angles. Plan for the test to last at least 90 minutes.
After the test, the imaging team will read your images and send a report to your physician, who will discuss the results with you and plan the next steps.
Additional types of cardiac imaging
In addition to cardiac CT and PET scans, your provider may use the following imaging tests:
- Cardiac angiography, an interventional cardiology procedure in which a small tube is inserted into a vein and guided to your heart, where X-ray images and dyes are used to identify blockages
- Echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce images of your heart muscle’s size and shape
- X-rays, which show the size, location and shape of your heart and blood vessels
Your provider may recommend one or multiple tests, based on your symptoms and the information they hope to learn from your images.
Preparing for cardiac imaging
Each cardiac imaging test is slightly different. Before your appointment, you will receive instructions specific to the test you are having about how to prepare, what to expect and how to receive your results. These instructions will be specific to the test you are having done.
Not all imaging exams require special preparation, but in general, you can use these tips to prepare for your exam:
- Bring your medications or a list of medicines you take if your care team has asked you to.
- Follow the instructions you receive about eating, drinking and taking medications before your exam.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Short sleeves are a good option if your test requires an IV or involves blood pressure cuffs. Avoid boots, jumpsuits, overalls and dresses.
Find a cardiac imaging location near you
Cardiac imaging is available at many Baylor Scott & White locations. No matter where you go, you will have access to advanced imaging technologies and experienced technologists and radiologists dedicated to helping you get accurate results.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm