The heart is one of those organs that are always engaged. With the heart beating more than 100,000 times every day to ensure blood reaches every organ, it is undoubtedly one of those organs that should be accorded proper care. You should always be wary of the fact that anything can go wrong with the heart, especially when you least expected it.
If you are concerned about your heart, you should always be on the lookout for any symptoms that might indicate a future problem. And this could mean going for routine scans. That said, here are some of the commonly used scanning technologies that are used to check the heart.
Chest X-Ray
X-rays are among the most commonly used medical procedures used to inspect organ functions. Ideally, the working principle behind x-rays is elaborate. High energy x-rays are transmitted and partially absorbed by body organs. Through their interaction with the body, the resulting image captures critical features about body organs. The good thing about x-ray imaging is that it a relatively quick process that does not need elaborate preparations.
CT Scan
The CT scan uses X-ray technology. But, the machine relies on data from multiple x-rays sources to produce a 3D image of the body. Like the X-ray, some specialists prefer using it for its reliability. If you are at risk of a heart attack, this test can help you identify the risk, prompting the doctor to perform other tests.
Coronary CT Angiogram
The coronary CT angiogram, just as the name suggests, focuses on the coronary artery. But this method specifically checks for the possibility of having a blockage in the coronary artery, which is the leading cause of heart attack. This method is usually recommended to patients with unexplained chest pains, unusually high blood pressure levels, and a high CT coronary calcium score.
Echocardiogram
The Echocardiogram is an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves. When these ultrasound waves are transmitted through your heart, your doctor can pick up important details such as the heart’s structure and overall function. Among the main conditions assessed using an Echocardiogram include chest buildup, pains, and conditions that might make you susceptible to blood clots. Unlike X-rays, the Echocardiogram is considered safer as it does not use radiations.…