Cardiac MRI Scans

Overview of Cardiac MRI Scans

A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a specialised procedure that creates high-quality images of your heart. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, it uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves (no radiation) to visualise the inside of your body.

Think of it as getting a clear video of your heart in action. The images are so detailed that we can see things other tests might miss, helping us understand exactly what’s happening with your heart.

This examination is invaluable when we need to answer specific questions:

• About your heart’s structure 
• How well your heart is pumping
• If there’s any damage or scarring that needs attention

Minimally invasive. Maximally human. Explore our guide on cardiac MRI scans for information on the process, effectiveness and potential risks. 

What to Expect from a Cardiac MRI Scan

A cardiac MRI is a safe, non-invasive scan. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Safety Check

You will answer a few simple questions about any medical devices, such as pacemakers or metal objects like medical implants, to ensure the scan is safe for you. The strong magnets used in an MRI can move or heat metal, so your doctor needs to confirm it’s safe before your scan begins.                       

2. Getting Ready

You will lie on the MRI scanner bed with electrodes and monitoring equipment attached. Following the breath-hold instructions helps produce detailed images. You may receive an injection of contrast dye for even greater clarity. 

3. The Scan

The scan usually takes around 60 minutes. It is crucial to remain still throughout. Some patients can feel anxious or claustrophobic in the MRI machine, but a team is on hand to support you at every step. There are also open MRI options for anyone who is uncomfortable in enclosed spaces.

4.  After the Scan

The images are reviewed to ensure clarity, and additional sequences are performed if needed. We then receive a detailed report to guide your ongoing care.

What a Heart MRI Scan Can Tell You

A cardiac MRI helps diagnose and monitor many heart and blood vessel conditions. Your doctor may recommend it based on your symptoms, blood tests or other findings. It often works alongside ultrasound or CT scans to give a complete view of your heart health. 

Assessing Heart Function

• Measuring how well your heart pumps and how strongly each chamber contracts
• Showing whether any areas of the heart wall are not moving as expected
• Evaluating damage after a heart attack 

Detecting Blood Flow Problems

• Assessing for heart artery blockages        
• Measuring blood flow to the heart muscle
• Identifying areas not receiving enough oxygen (called ischaemia)
• Understanding how artery narrowing may affect your blood pressure

Identifying Heart Muscle Disease

• Detecting inherited heart muscle conditions
• Finding myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
• Identifying infiltrative diseases like amyloidosis (abnormal protein buildup)

Evaluating Heart Structure

• Assessing heart valve issues when ultrasound images are unclear
• Evaluating congenital (birth-related) heart conditions
• Checking the coronary arteries for unusual positions or patterns
• Examining the pericardium (protective sac around your heart) for inflammation, thickening, or fluid buildup

Imaging Blood Vessels & Other Findings

• Viewing the aorta (via an aortic MRI) and other major blood vessels
• Examining lumps or growths in or around the heart 

Side Effects & Potential Risks of Cardiac MRI Scans

Cardiac MRI is a very safe test, and most people experience no problems. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and short-lived.

Possible sensations during the cardiac MRI scan:

• Muscle twitching or tingling
• Mild dizziness or lightheadedness
• Metallic taste in your mouth
• Occasional light flashes
• Loud MRI scanner noise, even with ear protection
• Feeling of tightness or claustrophobia
• Local skin warmth, especially near tattoos or metal
• Rare minor skin irritation

If contrast dye is used:

• Mild allergic reactions (itching, nausea, hives)
• Very rare kidney problems in patients with severe kidney disease  
• Trace gadolinium retention after multiple scans (no proven harm to date)

Implants and metal considerations:

• Older pacemakers, ICDs or metal fragments may be affected by a cardiac MRI scan

• Many modern devices are MRI-conditional and safe with specialist supervision

As MRI images cover more than just the heart, they may reveal unexpected findings in other parts of the chest that may need follow-up tests.

Severe allergic reactions, fainting, or dangerous MRI scanner-related problems are very uncommon, especially with modern safety screening and monitoring.

Cardiac MRI During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Non-contrast cardiac MRI (up to 3T) is considered safe during pregnancy. Cardiac MRI may be performed when needed to assess heart or blood vessel concerns, with no evidence of harm to the foetus.

A gadolinium contrast agent is usually avoided during pregnancy unless the potential medical benefit clearly outweighs fetal risk. Breastfeeding after contrast is safe, as only a tiny amount of the contrast passes into breast milk.

When to Get a Private Cardiac MRI 

With the NHS, a cardiac MRI usually requires a referral from a cardiologist or heart surgeon. In this pathway, the procedure is mainly used for more complex cases.

If you need an early heart health check or you don’t have apparent symptoms, getting an NHS cardiac MRI can be challenging. This is why many people choose a private scan for proactive assessment.

When you come to The Keyhole Heart Clinic, arranging a private cardiac MRI is fast and straightforward:

• In many cases, you won’t need a doctor’s referral
• Avoid long NHS waiting times
• Expert analysis that looks at your whole heart health, not just the scan itself. Our interdisciplinary team, led by renowned heart surgeon Mr Birdi, will help you understand the results and what to do next.

Feel confident discussing your procedure by subscribing to our YouTube channel! Our videos offer explainers, the perfect tool to keep your support network in the loop.  

Keyhole Heart Clinic: Private Heart MRI Services

Cardiac MRI scans produce exceptional images of your heart, but images alone don’t provide peace of mind. Many patients leave with detailed scans, without knowing what they mean or what to do next.

At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, we take a different approach. At our private heart screenings, you can rely on:

1. Consultant-led conversations that put your results in context 
2. Advanced tests to address your specific needs
3. Ongoing support that adapts as your health evolves

We focus on providing the best care for heart health problems and offering preventive treatments. As our clinic director, Inder Birdi, puts it:

Ready for answers, not just images? Book your heart screening with expert guidance and interpretation of complex results from tests such as cardiac MRI scans.