At Emory Healthcare, our advanced cardiac imaging tests help detect heart problems early—so you get the right care at the right time.
From cardiac MRI to CT scans, our noninvasive tests give your care team detailed images of your heart in action. You’ll receive expert care from specialists who make your comfort and safety a priority.
Doctors use advanced cardiac imaging tools to take high-quality pictures of your heart and blood vessels. These images show structure, function, and signs of problems or disease.
Cardiac imaging helps doctors diagnose, monitor, and treat various heart conditions. These include:
Doctors use different cardiac imaging tools to see your heart and blood vessels. Each tool has specific advantages to diagnose and treat various conditions. Your doctor will recommend which one is best for you.
Types of advanced cardiac imaging tools include:
Emory Healthcare provides heart screenings for people at risk for heart disease.
To determine your risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor. You will discuss your health history and lifestyle. Your doctor may use a risk estimator tool to determine if you need a CT Calcium Score.
The CT Calcium Score is a CT scan of your heart. It measures the buildup of plaque in the heart's vessels. Plaque comes from fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.
If these plaques rupture or block blood flow, you can have a heart attack. Knowing your CT Calcium Score will help you and your doctor choose the best treatment for you.
Your doctor will give you instructions for the type of scan you’re having. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may have to change into a gown.
Tell your doctor if you’re anxious about being in an enclosed space. They may prescribe medicine to help you.
Each test is different. Learn about common procedures below:
You may take medicine to slow your heart rate before the procedure. Your scan may require contrast (dye). If so, you’ll get an IV catheter to administer the dye. You may feel a cooling sensation. Contrast doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.
The CT scan machine is shaped like a large ring. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. A cardiac CT scan is painless and typically takes 30 minutes, including preparation time.
Your scan may require contrast (dye). If so, you’ll get an IV catheter to administer the dye. You may feel a cooling sensation. Contrast doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.
Your care team may put sticky electrode patches on your chest to monitor your heart. The MRI machine is shaped like a large tunnel or tube. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. MRI machines are noisy, so we will give you earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing.
If you feel nervous about tight spaces, let your doctor know ahead of time. They may give you medicine to help you feel more relaxed.
MRIs are painless. A cardiac MRI usually takes 90 minutes or less.
This scan requires a radioactive dye called a tracer. You’ll get an IV catheter with the dye and may need to rest for 20 to 30 minutes while the tracer travels through your bloodstream. The tracer doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.
The PET scanner is shaped like a large ring. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. The scan may take 30 to 60 minutes.
Create a MyChart account to schedule online or call 404-778-9729 to schedule an appointment.
Create a MyChart account to schedule online or call 404-778-9729 to schedule an appointment.
