Had my CT heart scan today... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,710 members34,242 posts

Had my CT heart scan today...

Dempo profile image
7 Replies

Finally got into the X-ray department, after waiting since first GP appointment in June. Thought I would just explain the procedure, in case anyone else is having one soon and worrying about what to expect, although I know the hospital leaflets do explain it quite clearly. I took my normal betablocker in the morning before turning up at the hospital, and drank juice instead of my normal vat of coffee. I was a bit worried about how much undressing/bosom flashing was involved, but they let me have a gown on the whole time, the staff were very good about attaching the electrodes without exposing my chest area. The technician checked my heart rate and BP, then the consultant made me have some GTN spray under the tongue, which I am used to, as I use it for my angina. The scan was in a doughnut-shaped scanner, which didn't feel too claustrophobic at first. The cannula thing put into my arm for the dye didn't hurt at all, just felt a bit of a whoosh in the arm when the dye went in, then sure enough, felt EXACTLY as though I had peed my pants about 30 seconds later. Had 4 goes through the machine, its robot voice tells you when to breathe in and hold your breath and breathe out. They seemed to put more dye in for each pass. The machine itself is very noisy, sounds like an Underground train. I wasn't expecting so much noise from it. Thought I was done, but then they came in and said the first pass was no good as my heart had done an extra beat and messed up the image, so they had to reset the machine. This took a good 5 minutes, during which time they left me underneath the doughnut thing, this was the only point when I felt a bit panicky, just felt very vulnerable. Anyway, it was all done, they whipped out the cannula, then I was told to go home. ( I did feel quite dizzy when I got up from the bed, and for about 20 minutes after, so glad I took the husband along to drive me back... I also had a raging thirst, really dry mouth.) Now expecting a 6-week wait for the results...... So good luck to anyone else who is having a similar scan soon, and don't worry your wee socks about it, it's fine.

Written by
Dempo profile image
Dempo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
Brandibell profile image
Brandibell

I think that explains it quite well apart from your set back halfway through.I had mine done in June last year. The only difference i had was i was told to get up andcwalk back to the room to get changed, i have a Balance disorder and the amount of beta blocker/GTN spray they gave me triggered it off and i had to hold onto a student nurse then get my BP checked over again as i was floating. Ha ha. Not a pleasant experience.. the noise was horrific and being partially deaf i coukdn't hear the instructions. On a positive note about 9 weeks later and pushed for the results, it showed no CAD just the faulty electrics (LBBB)..

Why do they give you gtn before the scan? Couldn't that potentially give a false negative?

Dempo profile image
Dempo in reply to

Was told it was to dilate the coronary arteries to give a clearer image.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam

Thanks Dempo, I've got one of these booked for 4th February and I'm pretty nervous about it.I will definitely get my husband to come with me.

Pitt12345 profile image
Pitt12345

It was fine, wouldn’t bother me to have another of these . Please do not worry.

Tubbylardo profile image
Tubbylardo

I have one in 3 weeks - I am terribly claustrophobic and am absolutely crapping myself already. Last time I had a CT scan it took 50mg diazepam to get me in the bloody thing ..... unfortunately not an option this time ....

Palpman profile image
Palpman

I had to have a CT scan for my kidneys while waiting 2 months for a MRI scan of the heart.

Now I wonder why I was not given a CT scan of the heart instead.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

CT Scan Angiogram Problem Today

hello all Got a call from my hospital yesterday giving me a CT scan angiogram appointment for...

CT Cardiac angiogram

Hi, just thought I would go through my experience of a CT cardiac angiogram as it may relieve some...
Cornishbeach profile image

CT Scan

Hi All, Had my CT Scan. All went well. The Dye really does make you think you have wet yourself....
DD13 profile image

Angiogram- my experience...

Hi all - said I would update after angiogram yesterday and to all of those who reassured me...

CT scan today

Got my CT scan for the arteries today around the heart, pretty nervous because of all the drugs...
KIMMY60 profile image

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.