Heart ct scan photo

A heart CT scan is performed in a hospital’s radiology department or a clinic that specializes in diagnostic procedures.

You may be given a beta-blocker before the scan.

Heart ct scan results

This medication slows down your heart so that clearer pictures can be taken. Small, sticky discs called electrodes are placed onto your chest to record the scan. The radiology technician inserts an intravenous line (IV) into a vein so that they can inject the radioactive dye into your arm.

You may feel warm or flushed briefly or have a temporary metallic taste in your mouth when they inject the dye.

Before the start of the scan, you lie down on a bench, possibly in a specific position.

The technician may use pillows or straps to ensure that you stay in the correct position for long enough to get a quality image. You may also have to hold your breath during brief individual scans, which last only 10 to 20 seconds.

To start the scan, the technician moves the table — via a remote from a separate room — into the CT machine.

The CT machine looks like a giant doughnut made of plastic and metal.

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