What is cardiac imaging and when do you need it?

Cardiac imaging consists of taking pictures of the heart and surrounding structures. It helps physicians learn more about a patient’s heart and take preventive measures to help keep patients safe and healthy. Interpreting these scans requires specialized medical training, and it matters who looks at them. Lee Health has highly trained cardiac imaging specialists on staff that help other cardiologists understand the important details about the heart and how to use this information to provide patients with exceptional care.

The Lee Health Heart Institute is the largest heart program in Southwest Florida. It believes in a collaborative approach to cardiac care where cardiac imaging experts work closely with the referring physician to ensure a personalized care plan that meets each patient’s unique needs. Based at HealthPark Medical Center, the Lee Health Heart Institute specializes in everything from primary and specialty care, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac rehabilitation and more.

Why Is the Heart One of the Body’s Most Important Organs?

The heart is part of the circulatory system, a network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins and capillaries, that carry blood to and from all areas of the body. If the heart is weakened, the body’s organs won’t receive enough blood.

This is important because blood carries oxygen and nutrients that organs need to work properly and perform at an optimal level. Valves in the heart keep blood flowing in the right direction and without a healthy heart, none of this would work correctly.

What Are the Main Types of Cardiac Imaging?

Cardiac imagists at the Lee Health Heart Institute work to accurately identify any potential issues and take next steps based on their findings. The heart is one of the most complex organs in the body. There are intricacies and nuances that must be studied by a professional. There are also a variety of heart imaging tests that can be ordered.

Sometimes these types of imaging can be combined, such as CT and PET scans. Other times, physicians recommend a patient undergo a variety of tests to get a full picture of the area to determine best treatment options. Cardiac imaging tests include:

• Cardiac computed tomography (CT)

• Echocardiogram (echo)

• Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) stress testing

• Stress Echocardiography

• Stress MRI

• Cardiac MRI

• Coronary angiogram or left heart catheterization (“heart cath”)

• Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan

When Does a Physician Recommend a Cardiac Imaging Test?

When a physician orders one of these tests, they’re trying to gather essential information to treat the patient. A cardiac imaging test can help determine signs of:

• Coronary artery disease

• Arrhythmia

• Heart attack

• Pediatric and congenital heart conditions such as structural abnormalities

• Heart failure

• Pericardial disease, or disease of the heart lining

• Heart valve disease

A cardiac imaging test can also help monitor an existing condition, monitor blood flow and check the condition of the heart.

How Do I Prepare for a Cardiac Imaging Test?

There are no risks associated with these tests. However, often there are guidelines that patients must adhere to, such as:

• For cardiac CT scans and cardiac MRIs, jewelry should be left at home

• For stress testing and coronary angiograms, avoid foods, beverages and medications that contain caffeine

• For cardiac MRIs, remove hearing aids if applicable, and glasses, clips and other items that might contain metal

It’s also a good idea to tell your providers about any medical conditions; all the medications you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and recreational drugs; if you are pregnant; have any pieces of metal inside your body, and if you have any medical devices, such as pacemakers, mechanical valves, rods or screws implanted in your body.

Echocardiogram: Heart Imaging with Sound Waves

An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create real-time images of the heart. It provides a dynamic view of the heart’s structure and function, allowing physicians to assess heart health, detect abnormalities, and monitor conditions over time.

Cardiac MRI: Detailed Heart Imaging

A Cardiac MRI is a non-invasive scan that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the heart and blood vessels. This imaging service offers valuable insights into heart conditions, blood flow, and tissue health, helping physicians diagnose and manage various heart-related issues.

Nuclear Cardiology: Evaluating Heart Function

Nuclear cardiology tests involve injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream to assess heart function and blood flow to the heart muscle. These tests help physicians diagnose heart diseases, evaluate treatment options, and determine the effectiveness of interventions, providing crucial information for personalized heart care.

Cardiac CTA Scan: A Closer Look at the Heart

A cardiac CTA scan, or computed tomography angiography, offers a non-invasive way to create detailed 3D images of the heart and its blood vessels. This service is instrumental in detecting coronary artery disease, assessing blood flow, and evaluating overall heart health. A CTA scan is often used to determine the need for further interventions or to monitor heart conditions.

When Should I See a Cardiologist?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consider sharing them with your primary care physician to help determine best next steps:

• A feeling like your heart is racing very fast

• Feeling like you might faint

• Shortness of breath that’s worsening

• Chest discomfort or bad indigestion that’s not going away

• Swelling in the legs

• Noticeable weight gain

Adults with a family history of heart disease should consider visiting a cardiologist in their twenties or thirties to make sure all is well with their heart health and to develop a plan for how frequently they should come back for a check-up.

Younger adults who do not have a family history but want to make sure they’re heart healthy should discuss a plan with their primary care physician who can refer them to a cardiologist if needed.

To learn more about cardiac imaging or to make an appointment with a cardiologist, please visit https://www.leehealth.org/our-services/cardiology/cardiac-imaging.

Dr. Juan Lopez-Mattei is Medical Director of Cardiac Imaging at the Lee Health Heart Institute