What it is and how it works: A cardiac MRI is an investigation used to take high-resolution images of the heart using a powerful magnet. Unlike a chest x-ray or CT scan, an MRI does not use x-rays. However, it is very important to remove any metal objects before having the test. During a cardiac MRI, you will be asked to lie down on a table before being moved inside of the machine. It can get quite noisy during the test, however you will be provided with headphones or given the option to listen to some music. You may be asked to hold your breath for some images too. It is also important to remain as still as possible to prevent the final images from being blurred. Although scan times may vary, a cardiac MRI may last from about 30 minutes to over an hour.
What it detects: A cardiac MRI can be requested to help diagnose a range of heart problems, such as coronary heart disease, inherited heart conditions like hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease.
