What happens during the scan at the Cardiac CT Health Check?

On arrival at our centre for a Cardiac CT Health Check, we will request your consent and go through safety checks with you. We will run some basic tests to check your vital signs, including your blood pressure and heart rate before we proceed.

Prior to your scan, a dye called a contrast medium will be injected into your vein to help enhance the quality of the scan pictures. Potential side effects may include hot flushes, feeling like you are passing urine or have a metallic taste in your mouth. These are common, but temporary, side effects of the contrast medium we use during the scan and they should pass quickly.

If necessary, you may be given additional medicine such as Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) spray under your tongue, to relax the blood vessels and a Beta-blocker injection via the cannula in your arm to slow your heart rate temporarily at a safe level, if it is beating fast. A possible side effect of the beta-blockers is that you may feel a slight headache or a little dizzy for a short time after it is administered.

You may be asked to change into a gown. A small tube (cannula) will be inserted into a vein in your arm. For a CT Coronary Angiogram, you will be asked to lie down on the CT scanner table which will slide through a tunnel shaped scanning machine. Our team will monitor your heart rate throughout the scanning process using sensors.

During the scan you will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while the images are obtained. These are all to help us get the clearest pictures possible of your heart.

The scanner is not very noisy, and the procedure is normally quick and not painful. Our radiographers will monitor you through a connecting window and intercom, and you can speak to them at any time.

After you have taken the medication, throughout the scan and your appointment you will be closely monitored by our experienced health care team.