Health care providers use heart scan procedures to get detailed views of the condition and functioning of the heart. These procedures help in diagnosis and management of different medical conditions related to the heart, the blood vessels supplying the heart and other supporting structures. Some heart scans also involve therapeutic procedures done to treat conditions such as narrowing of blood vessels near the heart.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram of the heart is commonly done to determine the function and movements of the different muscles of the heart, especially in patients who are at risk of heart failure and other heart diseases. This procedure uses ultrasound, in which high frequency sound waves travel through the organ to obtain an image that is graphed on a screen. The Cleveland Clinic explains that an echocardiogram is performed along with a doppler ultrasound or color Doppler ultrasound to assess the blood flow through the heart's chambers. This is a safe procedure with no side effects.
Computed Tomography Scan
A computed tomography or CT scan is a combination of X-ray and computer technology that gives a detailed picture of the heart. It also involves less radiation exposure than a standard X-ray of the heart. The procedure involves different radiation beams scanning the heart in a circular manner as the machine rotates. In a CT scan the patient lies on a table as images from varying angles are transmitted to a computer monitor. These scans may also be done with dye that is injected into the blood vessel or taken orally to provide better contrast and more detailed imaging of the heart and blood vessels. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to the dye. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that patients who are allergic to iodine or are pregnant may be at higher risk of this dye allergy.
Coronary Calcium Scan
A coronary calcium scan or simply a heart scan is a procedure used to assess the calcium deposits inside the coronary arteries, which are blood vessels supplying the heart muscles and tissues. This scan is commonly done on patients that are at risk of having heart attacks due to chronic smoking, being 55 years of age or older, having high blood pressure and having high blood cholesterol levels. A coronary calcium scan consists of an electron beam CT scan and results in some exposure to radiation, according to MayoClinic.com.
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