About Cardiac Imaging
Key Highlights
-
Provides highly detailed, real-time images of heart structure and function.Enables accurate diagnosis of a wide range of cardiac conditions without major surgery.Guides treatment decisions for procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or surgery.Non-invasive or minimally invasive options with quick recovery times for most tests.Monitors the effectiveness of ongoing cardiac treatments and interventions.
Who is this surgery for?
- Chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath to rule out coronary artery disease.
- Evaluation of heart murmurs or suspected heart valve problems.
- Assessment of heart muscle function after a heart attack or in heart failure.
- Screening for congenital heart defects or diseases of the aorta.
- Pre-operative assessment before major non-cardiac surgery in high-risk patients.
- Monitoring known conditions like cardiomyopathy or following a cardiac procedure.
How to prepare
- Fasting for 4-12 hours may be required, especially for tests involving contrast dye or sedation.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, allergies (particularly to iodine/contrast), and if you are pregnant.
- For stress tests, wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for exercise.
- You may be asked to avoid caffeine or certain medications (like beta-blockers) before a stress test.
- For cardiac MRI, inform staff of any metal implants, pacemakers, or claustrophobia.
Risks & possible complications
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye used in CT, MRI, or nuclear imaging.
- Radiation exposure (minimal and controlled) from CT and nuclear scans.
- Kidney strain from contrast dye in patients with pre-existing kidney disease.
- During stress tests, there is a very small risk of triggering irregular heart rhythms or a heart attack.
- Minor discomfort from IV insertion or, rarely, bruising at the injection site.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Most non-invasive tests (like echocardiogram) require no recovery time; you can resume normal activities immediately.
- If sedation is used, you will need someone to drive you home and should avoid operating machinery for 24 hours.
- Drink plenty of water after procedures using contrast dye to help flush it from your kidneys.
- Your cardiologist will discuss the results with you, often within a few days, to plan the next steps.
- Follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided based on the type of imaging performed.
-
Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient) to 1 day
-
Expected recovery time: 0 days to 1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cardiac imaging in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cardiac imaging in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cardiac imaging. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cardiac imaging compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cardiac Imaging in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing cardiac imaging.
Michael Brown, a 58-year-old construction foreman...
Michael Brown, a 58-year-old construction foreman and father of three, had always been active but noticed increasing shortness of breath and a tightness in his chest when climbing ladders at work over the past six months. His primary care physician, concerned about his family history of heart disease (his father had a heart attack at 62), referred him to a cardiologist. The cardiologist, noting Michael's borderline high blood pressure and concerning symptoms, recommended a cardiac CT angiography to get a clear, non-invasive look at his coronary arteries. Michael was anxious before the scan, worried about the results and the potential impact on his ability to work and provide for his family. The procedure itself was quick; he lay still on the table as the machine whirred around him, feeling only a warm sensation from the contrast dye. The results showed moderate plaque buildup in one artery, but no critical blockages. Relieved, Michael embarked on a prescribed regimen of medication, dietary changes, and a supervised exercise program. His emotional journey shifted from fear and dread to one of determined empowerment, viewing the scan not as a verdict but as a crucial roadmap for protecting his health and future with his family.
Cardiologists for Cardiac Imaging
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform cardiac imaging and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 55 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala