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Staying in tune is important.
Anyone can have heart disease.
Many heart diseases can be prevented, and even after diagnosis many can be treated and managed effectively.
But for treatment to work, you need a diagnosis.
At Sunshine Coast Radiology, we offer a range of cardiac imaging services to help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of cardiac conditions can include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, back, legs or arms
- Numbness, weakness and coldness in the legs or arms
- Irregular heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
CT Coronary Arteries
A CTCA is a CT (computed tomography) scan that takes pictures or angiograms of the arteries, investigating any issues or disease with the blood vessels that may lead to a heart attack.
Before the exam, you’ll be injected with a special dye to highlight any blockages in the arteries.
A CTCA is a fast and non-invasive examination that is extremely effective in making an accurate diagnosis.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram (echo) is a non-invasive exam that uses ultrasound to take pictures of the heart.
It is used to provide real-time and accurate images of the heart chambers and muscles, as well as other structures within the heart.
An echocardiogram may be carried out under stress where images are taken both before and after exercise.
You may be referred for an echocardiogram to determine if your symptoms are being caused by your heart, to look for any abnormalities, monitor effects of treatment or for screening purposes if you have a family history of cardiac issues.
Myocardial Perfusion (MIBI)
A Myocardial perfusion scan is used to show how well blood is flowing through the heart, and to determine if and where there may be any major blockages to blood supply that may cause coronary artery disease.
This scan puts the heart under stress, either by exercise or injection of medication, to better see blood flow through the heart.
You may be referred for myocardial perfusion if you are experiencing chest pain, to diagnose coronary artery disease or to assess heart muscle damage if you have previously had a heart attack.
CT Calcium Score
A CT Calcium score test is a screening test that measures the level of calcium in the walls of the blood vessels in the heart to estimate an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease. A score is provided whereby a 0 indicates that there is no calcium present, therefore low chance of developing a heart attack, whilst a higher score with calcium present, means higher risk of heart disease.
You may be referred for a CTCS if you’re at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and/or between the ages of 40-70 with a family history of cardiovascular disease with no signs or symptoms.
