ADVICE PLEASE Cardiac Heart Scan

[JMF1]

Hi off for Heart Scan tomorrow and rather anxious about it all. Think it’s the Polo Type scanner so at least head will hopefully be out of machine. Anyone had one done and what’s it like. Believe I am also having contrast injected. Just would like to know how long it Approx takes. Thank you.

[Rhinos67]

I've had 3 CT angiograms. They put a canular in your arm and then when you are in the room for the scan they inject the dye.In each case I've only been in the scanner for a few minutes and all the time they talk to you from their little area.

It wasn't too bad and belive me when I say that. I suffer with major anxiety and apart from the first time when I was waiting outside for about 90 minutes and was a wreck by the time they called me in, I was OK.

Joanne

😊

[janicedrew in reply to Rhinos67]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Joanne. It’s really comforting to hear from someone who also deals with major anxiety—sounds like the waiting can be the worst part! I'm glad the actual scan itself wasn't too bad for you. Knowing they talk to you during it definitely helps ease the nerves a bit. Hopefully, if I have to go through it again, I'll remember that it’s only a few minutes in the scanner. Thanks again for the reassurance!

[PinkKizzie]

Hi JMF1, hope all goes well tomorrow, and there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I think I was in the MRI scanner for just over an hour with plenty of 'breathe in, breathe out and hold your breath' so it went by quickly. Each time you are holding your breath a photo is taken of your heart. Try not to worry and an update on how it went would be good. Take care 🫂

[Ageingfast]

your head is not inside the scanner. It took about 15 minutes, but unlike other scans you are continually asked to hold your breath, take a deep breath etc. I was in an oldish scanner and the machine asked me the questions. Rather reminded me of cartoon Meral Micky. In addition the staff talk to you as much or as little as you like.

Most people think they have wet themselves and staff will warn you about that.

Best wishes

sooty

[Maxbar]

really the scan is quite OK unless you have a fear of the tight space I just kept my eyes closed and thought happy thoughts while doing as I was told, had a stress test with mine and that was a bit weird but nothing you can't cope with , also usually the technicians are brilliant. good luck I promise it's nothing to fear.👍

[Murderfan58]

If it's a CT scan it's like a big doughnut the table moves you through. If it's a MRI it's a tunnel and your whole body will be in it. When I had the MRI on my heart they placed electrodes on my chest then and big plate that was strapped to the arms of the bed. It was a bit heavy but was to protect against the magnetic forces of the MRI. I also had a catheter in the back of my hand . MRI s scare me but knew it was needed. So was determined to stay still and concentrate on the grey line above my head and both ends of the tunnel where open . What helped was I had to follow instructions taking a deep breath in and holding it before they said breath normally near the end pulled out and dye injected and told I would need to hold my breath longer but if I couldn't take swallow breathes . But I held my breath longer so they could get the pictures they needed.

When I came out I couldn't move I had been in the machine just over 90 mins. But I have a rare hereditary neurological condition and my limbs had seized up they had to help me sit up and walk to the changing room. But the staff where very kind. Because it was raining heavily the radiographer instead on walking backwards down the steps incase I slipped with my stick. He was soaked through but said he had dry clothes in the unit.

Had my MRI in the mobile unit at the hospital there was one in the hospital as well so they could see twice as many patients.

[Pjjmhaa]

There is nothing to it at all! Try not to worry!

[Ads568]

Hello JMF1, My advice would be to let them know how you are feeling about it. If they don’t know you’re worried, they can’t help! I’m very claustrophobic, but CT scans are no problem for me as you’re not enclosed, just the depth of the scanner, but you probably will be convinced you’ve wet yourself - you won’t have done! Also, once my palms felt as though they were on fire!🤷‍♀️. No idea why. When I had to have a cardiac MRI, I phoned the department beforehand & explained how I felt. They were fantastic and really caring. If you contact them you can also find out exactly which type of scan you’re having, to eliminate some of the unknowns. It might even be an echo, which some people call a heart scan - that just an ultrasound, like pregnant mums have. Best wishes.

[fishonabike]

I have had 3 types of heart scan: MRI, CT and echocardiogram (ultrasound but also called a scan)

none were painful, the only one which cause a bit of discomfort was the echo because of how hard the probe was pressed onto my chest, but it was only brief discomfort

the odeest part of an MRI or CT scan with contrast is immediately after the contrast injection - they tell you it might give you an odd feeling of heat - it tends to affect the lowest part of your body, which is your buttocks when lying down , so it felt like I had wet myself

CT & MRI scan can be noisy and long or short, depending on the machine and what type of scan has been requested, but this should be explained to you and there is info online - look for info from NHS hospitals

in CT & MRI scans you also have a hand held alarm if you get attention if anything feels wrong, with an echocardiogram the technical is beside you and in contact with you

in future you could ask what type of scan you will be having, there are so many now!

[Qualipop]

To those who replied. the poster said it was a POLO type scanner which is a CT scan. N O problem, at all; takes only minutes and you are not enclosed. The table moves you back and forth under the ring. As has been said the dye is weird and does make you feel as if you wet yourself but you haven't.

[janicedrew]

Hi, I completely understand your anxiety—I felt the same when I had my heart scan a few years ago. The Polo-type scanner is a bit more open, so your head will likely stay out, which definitely helps with any claustrophobia concerns. When I had mine done, the contrast injection was a quick pinch, and it gave a warm sensation, but nothing too uncomfortable. The entire process, including prep, took about 30-45 minutes, but the actual scanning part was much shorter—around 10-15 minutes.

It’s normal to feel anxious, but try to focus on how important this is for your heart health. My scan helped catch an issue early, and I was able to treat it on time, so it’s worth it in the long run! Best of luck, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you!