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A doctor can use the images from these tests to help diagnose heart conditions. They may also use it to monitor existing conditions and determine the effectiveness of treatments. This article reviews the different heart imaging types, including their potential benefits, risks, and more. What is a heart imaging test Share on PinterestPhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou/Getty ImagesHeart imaging tests show images of the heart, its surrounding structure, and blood flow. The images can help a doctor diagnose potential problems affecting this organ. Imaging can refer to several different types of testing. Each test can provide additional information for the doctor to learn more about a person’s heart health and help diagnose possible conditions. When do doctors perform them A doctor may recommend imaging tests for the heart to:diagnose a heart conditionmonitor an existing condition and check the progress of treatmentscheck the structure of the heart monitor blood flow A doctor may order additional testing and imaging to help provide a complete picture of a person’s cardiovascular health. Types of heart imaging tests and scans There are several different types of imaging tests or scans. Some of the most common include the following. Echocardiogram An echocardiogram, also known as an echo, uses ultrasound technology to produce an image of the heart. It is noninvasive and cannot cause pain or harm to a person. A technician passes a transducer or probe over the patient’s chest during the procedure. The test can help a doctor examine the structure of the person’s heart and how effectively it works. Other uses include checking for:blood vessel issuesclots in the heartissues with the outer lining of the heartatypical holes in the heartheart valve problemscancerous growths Cardiac CT scans A cardiac CT scan is a noninvasive test that uses X-rays to create an image of the heart. They can show the beating heart, calcium buildup, and possible blockages in the arteries. Doctors may also sometimes add a dye into the veins to make the images clearer. Doctors may order a CT scan when other tests do not provide enough information about the heart. A CT can show a doctor information such as:scarring from a heart attackfluid in the pericardial sac that covers the outside of the heartthe heart’s structurehow well the heart pumps bloodcalcium buildup in the arteries that can pose a risk for a heart attackabnormalities in blood vessels tumors affecting the heart or surrounding structures Cardiac single-photon emission CT SPECT SPECT is a nuclear imaging test that produces a 3D image of the heart. It uses radioactive tracers that healthcare professionals administer into a person’s blood system to produce an image. Doctors can use the test to check for and diagnose CAD and determine if a person has had a heart attack in the past. It can also show how well blood is flowing through the heart. They can use the test while someone is at rest and during exercise. Although doctors consider this a safe test, it does result in radiation exposure. The body typically processes the tracers within 24–72 hours. However, people who are pregnant or nursing should tell their doctor before getting the test due to possible harm to the fetus or baby. Cardiac MRI Cardiac MRIs use a combination of a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and computers to produce a detailed image of the heart and surrounding tissue. Doctors may order the test to check for and monitor cardiovascular diseases. They may also use it to evaluate the heart’s anatomy after diagnosing a condition that affects this organ. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with a doctor before taking the test. Cardiac PET A cardiac PET is a noninvasive imaging test that uses radioactive markers to make a picture of the heart. As a result, this test exposes people to small amounts of radiation. Doctors may use a PET scan to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) and assess the damage from a heart attack. It can show a doctor which tissue in the heart is healthy and which parts are damaged. The test can also help diagnose certain diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis. This condition involves the growth of persistent granulomas or clumps of inflammatory cells. A doctor can also use the PET scan to help determine if percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) can help an individual. PCIs refer to minimally invasive procedures for widening coronary arteries and can include coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, and stenting. Multigated acquisition MUGA scan A MUGA scan uses radioactive tracers to create an image of the heart. A doctor may use it to see the dynamic properties of the heart and assess its structure. Healthcare professionals refer to MUGA scanning as radionuclide ventriculography or radionuclide angiography. The noninvasive scan takes several pictures at different points in time to show a picture of different cardiac cycles and produce a 2D image. A doctor may use this test when they require the precise measurement of an ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the heart pumps after a contraction. Doctors may need this measurement, for example, when monitoring the heart during chemotherapy. Coronary angiogram or left heart catheterization Cardiac catheterization, or “heart cath,” is an invasive test that can help determine how well the heart is working. During the test, a doctor inserts a thin tube called a catheter into the large blood vessel leading into the heart. They will then inject a dye and use an X-ray to show how the heart is working. A doctor can use the test and imaging to:check for diseases of the valves, heart muscle, or coronary arteriesexamine blood flow and pressurecheck for blockages in the coronary arteries How to prepare for a cardiac imaging test Cardiac imaging tests do not typically need much preparation. Many are noninvasive and require that the person goes to a facility that performs the test. A person should consult their doctor before the procedure to see if they have any specific instructions for the test. Someone who is pregnant or nursing should let their doctor know before the test. Certain tests, such as the SPECT, may cause harm to a fetus or baby. Outlook The outlook following a test depends on what the doctor finds. Imaging tests can help healthcare professionals examine the heart’s structure and function and the presence of diseases that may be causing harm. A person should discuss their prognosis with their doctor. Most people will not have any issues following a test and can leave shortly after the procedure. However, those who receive a heart cath may need to visit a recovery room for several hours following the procedure. Summary Heart imaging can take several forms. Different tests can tell different information about the heart, possible diseases, structural issues, and other diagnostic information. Many types of imaging are noninvasive. However, others require dye injections and more invasive techniques. A person should discuss findings with their doctor to determine their overall prognosis, possible treatment, and plans for therapy. Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2022ArrhythmiaVascularCardiovascular / Cardiologyheartvalvedisorders 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Cardiac catheterization. (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cardiac-catheterizationCardiac computed tomography (multidetector CT, or MDCT). (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cardiac-computed-tomography-multidetector-ct-or-mdctCardiac (heart) MRI. (2020). https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/cardiacmrEchocardiogram (echo). (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/echocardiogram-echoHeart tests. (2022). https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-testsPositron emission tomography (PET). (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/positron-emission-tomography-petRadionuclide ventriculography or radionuclide angiography (MUGA scan). (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/radionuclide-ventriculography-or-radionuclide-angiography-muga-scanSchindler, T. H., et al. (2020). Appropriate use criteria for PET myocardial perfusion imaging. https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/61/8/1221Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). (2015). https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/single-photon-emission-computed-tomography-spectYandrapalli, S., et al. (2022). Spect imaging.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564426/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Angela Ryan Lee, MD, FACC — By Jenna Fletcher on September 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageCongenital heart disease and heart defectsMedically reviewed by Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, FACC A congenital heart defect is a type of congenital heart disease. 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