Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics
We offer a full range of cardiac imaging and diagnostic procedures at all of our heart care facilities performed by cardiac radiology experts with an emphasis on accuracy, speed and patient comfort, including:
- Diagnostic X-rays
- Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Nuclear medicine
We also provide expertise in other non-invasive diagnostic services, including:
Coronary Calcium Score
HeartScore is a 10-minute CT scan of your heart that uses no needles, no fasting and no running on a treadmill. Also known as a coronary calcium scan, this non-invasive test can detect heart disease early, long before any symptoms appear.
Recent research has shown a correlation between the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries and the likelihood of a future heart attack. If you smoke or have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or a family history of coronary artery disease, you could be at risk.
Stress Tests
A stress test shows how your heart works during physical activity or by injection and imaging. It determines the amount of stress that your heart can take before showing signs of damage such as an abnormal rhythm.
Cardiac Stress Test
A cardiac stress test is performed by a physician or technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can take before showing signs of damage such as an abnormal rhythm. The exercise stress test is also known as the exercise electrocardiogram, treadmill test, graded exercise test or stress ECG. It is used to provide information about how the heart responds to exertion. As you walk, your heart will be monitored for any changes or problems that would suggest your heart is not working optimally.
Nuclear Stress Test
Despite the name, nuclear stress tests are very safe and ordinary. During this cardiac diagnostic test, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into the patient. Physicians will use a special camera to identify the rays emitted from the radioactive tracer while it is in the body. By using this heart test, Baptist doctors can view clear pictures of the heart tissue on a monitor.
Regadenoson (Lexiscan®)
For patients who are unable to perform the traditional exercise stress test, physicians will use a drug to mimic the heart's response to exercise. This is performed in conjunction with nuclear cardiac perfusion imaging.
Stress Echocardiogram
A stress echocardiogram provides a graphic outline of the heart's movement. This test can accurately visualize the pumping action of the heart when it's stressed. This test could reveal a lack of blood flow that can't always be seen from other stress tests.