Cancellation for an MRI scan. - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Cancellation for an MRI scan.

Brandibell profile image
13 Replies

Hi guys,

Things are starting to move quickly now. I got a phone call today they have a cancellation next week. So i am having a proper look at my heart this time.

*Blessed are we who have the NHS. *

Can anyone say how long you are in the scanner for? i had one on my brain many years ago to rule out anything before i got diagnosed with Meniere's ( balance disorder). I remember them being really noisy and my head was screwed in a cage. Not nice but needed. I am driving also is this wise?

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Brandibell profile image
Brandibell
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13 Replies

I had a stress MRI and it lasted an hour. Like a Buffoon I decided not to take my meds that day so my HR was elevated. This is important because they needed my HR to be steady before each run of images, hence it took an hour. I think normally it takes a lot less than that. Check the meds thing with them beforehand. Driving wise I drove their and bk no probs, your not drowsy or anything like that. Your right the scanner is dead noisy and not the most pleasant experience. I just concentrated on my breathing which was very calming. The info they get on yr heart is the very best available so it’s 100% positive from that perspective. And yr EF % will be more or less bang on the money because it’s a 3D measurement.

Dicky-ticker profile image
Dicky-ticker

When I had my MRI with contrast it took 45 minutes. I found the "hold your breath" hardwork, considering all the missed beats/double beats.

It's clanky and noisy, but nothing else. Driving isn't an issue. Good luck

080311 profile image
080311

Mine lasted about 40 minutes, sounded like a jet taking off!

It’s ok best wishes Pauline

SarahJLD profile image
SarahJLD

I was also in the scanner for 45-50 minutes. I found the holding my breath difficult and if I had to have another would practice. The dye made me feel a little warm.

I’ve also had a head one for inner ear problems and I don’t remember the heart one being as noisy.

I didn’t drive because I had to go two hours away and appointment was a Saturday afternoon so other half took me but I would say I’d have been fine driving.

Good luck

I was in for over an hour with my Heart MRI - probably up to 1 & 1/2 hours.

Have to be honest and say it didn't seem that long - but then I was busy concentrating on listening for the "breath in and hold - whirr, whirr, whirr - and breathe". Of course they didn't say "whirr. whirr, whirr" - but it would've been fun to hear them say it :-)

You have a panic button which will get you out in double quick time if needed.

But I always close my eyes during these sorts of tests and try not to fall asleep :-)

And they are not th equietest of machines...

Apparently the duration is all down to what they see and if further examination is required as a result of what they get back from the initial scans. So, you could be out in as little as 40 minutes, our you could be out in 1 & 1/2 hours.

Alison_L profile image
Alison_L in reply to

They do say whirr whirr whirr, but very quietly, so you can't hear it over the machine :)

GracieOS profile image
GracieOS

Mine lasted about an hour. It was a bit noisy but not too bad. It didn't seem like an hour, it went fairly quickly. I did get a bit achy towards the end as you have to stay still the whole time.

Stellata profile image
Stellata

Mine took well over an hour. It is very loud and you have to concentrate on their instructions to breathe in & out the whole time, so no chance to meditate and 'zone out'. Holding my breath out was hard, I had imagined I'd breathe in & hold, but it's the opposite. So maybe practise ahead of time. I was worried about the physical effect of the stress test while in the scanner, but the drug just made my hands and feet go a bit tingly so definitely not as bad as I had imagined. I brought a snack to eat afterwards before I drove home, it was fine. Good luck!

in reply toStellata

sorry, i forgot - it was breathe out and hold...

How odd is that - but i got used to it just they said they were done ;-)

Ageingfast profile image
Ageingfast

Good luck. It isnt a bad experience.

Colin

Hermanm profile image
Hermanm

Had one yesterday,

4 year check up from aortic valve replacement,

Quite relaxing, apart from holding your breath !

Took about 30 mins , noise wasnt too bad , headphones help,

Nothing to worry about unless you are claustrophobic.

And can find a decent sized gown!!

Good luck

Loopylou527 profile image
Loopylou527

Glad to hear you have received a cancellation and haven't had to wait too long. Not had mine yet, but have heard a variety of times from 45 mins - 1 1/2 hours. Good luck.

Alison_L profile image
Alison_L

Mine lasted about 50 minutes. It would have been slightly shorter if they hadn't had to wait for me to get through my panic attacks and start breathing normally again!

Keep your eyes shut and you'll be fine :)

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