Now, doctors can diagnose a variety of heart problems using Ultrasound, MRI and CT Scan procedure.
Ultrasound
Your heart disease can be diagnose using Echocardiography (Ultrasound of the Heart). This test uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to hep doctors measure the speed and direction of blood flow and to find out about the abnormal heart rhythms, coronary artery disease or previous heart attacks. It is simple, safe and painless procedure involving no radiation exposure.
CT Scan
Computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, is a heart-imaging test that uses CT technology with or without intravenous (IV) contrast (dye) to visualize the heart anatomy, coronary circulation, and great vessels (which includes the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries). There are three types of CT scans used in the diagnosis of heart disease: 1. Calcium-score screening heart scan (a test used to detect calcium deposits found in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries); 2. Coronary CT angiography (CTA) (a test that can noninvasively detect “soft plaque,” or fatty matter, in the coronary artery walls that has not yet hardened but that may lead to future problems without lifestyle changes or medical treatment); 3. Total body CT scan (a diagnostic technique that uses computed tomography to help identify potential problems or diseases before symptoms even appear, able to detect aortic aneurysms and calcium deposits within plaque in the coronary arteries).
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a more sensitive scan that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. Detailed MRI allow your doctors to better evaluate parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning). MRI is clearer and more detailed than with other imaging methods. This makes MRI an invaluable tool in early diagnosis and evaluation of cardiac abnormalities asit quickly examine the structures and function of the heart and major vessels .
