Cardiology MRI

[Nnanny]

I have been referred for a Cardiology MRI

Can someone please tell me what this involves and is it done in the long tunnel?

[ChoochSiesta]

Yes long tunnel. It's a bit noisy and a bit claustrophobic. Nothing to worry about.

[Nnanny in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Thank you,have you any idea of how long it will take? I am slightly claustrophobic but I managed to have one a couple of years ago.They had said it would be a CT scan and now they have decided on an MRI

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Nnanny]

Mine was about 1 hour, but I needed a stress MRI which takes twice as long.

[Afibflipper]

I had mine about 4 weeks ago

The scanner is as long as your body but I felt I only went in as far as my waist.

They put an IV in each arm (one has ‘contrast dye’ the other a medication to speed up your heart for a couple of minutes they will not do this without letting you know when it’s going to happen)

You will also have a blood pressure cuff around one arm

You will have probably a set of headphones on as they will talk to you via this ( you will also have a call button in one hand if you need it

They will tell you each time they are taking pictures and how long each session will last - sometimes you will be asked to breathe in then breathe out then hold your breath and when to breathe normally again

When they use the medication to speed up your heart it gave me a feeling of weight on my chest or as though you’d taken a big breath and needed to breathe it out and at the same time a bit of a ‘stuffy head’ which was possibly a blood pressure rise but it only lasts a couple of minutes - don’t forget they will let you know before they do it and they will reassure you all the way on every move

If you are a little concerned/anxious about the scanner/tunnel it is confined but a good idea I did is do some relaxation techniques before test day so they are embedded in your mind and come easily - close your eyes and think if you like the sun, that you’re on a beach by the ocean, hear waves and birds etc (whatever works for you)

It took about 50 minutes in total and there was a cardiologist in there (in the annex not the tunnel 😆 so you’ll be safe at all times)

There is a lot of (muffled by headphones) banging which is what happens when each scan is in process

Sorry if this is long winded but I know how scary the unknown can be - hope all goes well for you

[Nnanny in reply to Afibflipper]

Thank you for your reply,when I had one before I think my whole body went in,as I remember feeling very close to the ceiling! It’s good to know that a cardiologist is on standby,it’s not my local hospital . I believe the MRI can give a better diagnosis than the CT and I suppose I must be thankful it’s being done.

[Afibflipper in reply to Nnanny]

They gave me an ecg prior to it and said as I was in AF at the time would I be ok in the smaller scanner as they’d get better images the closer I was to the scanner so it seems some are bigger than others (my nose was close to the top and I don’t have a big nose 😂) hence relaxation techniques brought into practice may help (did for me) - good luck

[MONIREN in reply to Afibflipper]

Very precise explanation, it seems a long time, but you get glided in and out, so actual time in tunnel is short. Nnanny , I'm sure it will give them enough information to help you better. Take care. Moni

[Nnanny in reply to MONIREN]

Thank you, I don’t know when it will be as my angiogram was 2of March , I will just have to be patient!

[deniseinmilden in reply to Afibflipper]

Oh my goodness - what a fantastic reply!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. I've had several MRI scans and you describe it perfectly! I've got to go for a cardiology MRI sometime soon and didn't even think to ask about it so I appreciate your extra details that are specific to these type of MRIs.

I never worry about these things (and I know I am lucky not to!) but it's good to have your ideas in mind - especially the great tip about practicing your relaxation skills before you go so you have the techniques in your head already: the notion of it is calming in itself!

Brilliant, thank you!

[Afibflipper in reply to deniseinmilden]

I’m glad it will be of help - if we’ll practiced and people notice amongst all the goings on that they are anxious that’s the time to bring in the ground oneself and let yourself know your ok and this feeling won’t last Funnily I’m one of the worst of worriers and therefore hope my theories can help someone else

[deniseinmilden in reply to Afibflipper]

Definitely - thank you!

It certainly helps me because I only don't worry because I take the trouble to analyse and alleviate my potential fears... it's not because I don't care! 👀😃👍 x

[Heyjude31]

Hi there, I am not sure if this will be possible for you, but I requested to go in ‘feet first’ which was very helpful, as my head was just outside of the tunnel I did not require for my head to be scanned. I can get very claustrophobic so it really helped. Also I think the machines may have been updated as there was definitely a bit more head room, with the ceiling of the machine not being as close. Good luck with your MRI. Take care, Judi

[Nnanny in reply to Heyjude31]

Thank you,Judi I hope I can do that , I will try and find out whatever I can beforehand as it’s not my local hospital,and it’s good to know that others have been there and done that!

[Buddy00]

Afibflipper reply has summed it up perfectly. I can’t stress the relaxation part enough. I kept my eyes tightly shut the whole time and let my mind drift off and tried to keep to nice shallow breathes. Personally I wouldn’t have music on as I found it more annoying over the banging of the magnets . I also kept reminding myself that it was essential that I had the mri. Best of luck.

[Nnanny in reply to Buddy00]

Everyone has been so kind and helpful ,a big thank you to everyone. It’s very reassuring to see all the comments,

I was an HCA at my local hospital so I was used to patients coming back to the clinics for their results,but I never had an insight into just what they had endured.

I retired 13 years ago and I know there is much more information available now,but it’s nice to get first hand experiences .

[Silvasava]

Yes, the scanner can be noisy and a bit claustrophobic BUT, it's not in the least bit painful!

[Carolx]

Good morning NnannyI was extremely anxious about having my cardiac MRI.

I bought one of those sleep masks on eBay, a couple of pounds.

It really helped me, as I knew I couldn’t be trusted to keep my eyes closed.

I also requested a wide bore scanner.

A bit roomier than the normal scanners.

Ask if this is available at the hospital you’re attending.

Mine lasted around an hour, but it goes very quickly.

Your mind is kept busy with the breathing exercises.

Wishing you lots of luck x

[Nnanny in reply to Carolx]

Thank you that’s very helpful x

[Swim2fitness]

I also found the room to be cold (they need to keep the machines cold) so I asked if I could have a blanket over my toes, this also helped me to feel comfortable and relaxed. When in the tunnel I noticed a small hole blowing air near my nose which helped me to visualise I was on a local cliff looking down on the beach with surfers, lifeguards and boats when I closed my eyes. I was in for an hour and can honestly say I came out of the tunnel really relaxed mainly because in the second half of the scan I was concentrating only on the operator asking me to breathe in hold for xx and breathe out then breathe normally over and over again. Good luck

[Nnanny in reply to Swim2fitness]

Thank you for your input a blanket seems like a good idea! I will try to focus on nice thoughts,my happy place is watching a mother duck with her ducklings swimming on the shores of the Lochs.