CT coronary angiography is a safe, non-invasive scan that creates detailed 3D images of the arteries supplying your heart. By using a contrast dye and advanced CT imaging, it shows how well blood is flowing to your heart muscle and whether there are any narrowings or blockages. The scan is quick, painless and accurate, giving us clear information to advise you on the best treatment for your heart.
If you have chest pain or angina, a CT coronary angiography can show us whether your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. We can also use it to check that a stent placed during an earlier procedure is still open and working properly.
The whole procedure usually takes around 30 minutes. The actual scan is very quick, lasting less than a minute once the contrast dye is injected. In some cases, you may also be given a medication such as a beta blocker to improve image quality, which only adds a short time.
CT coronary angiography is completely painless. You’ll have a small needle placed in your hand to deliver the contrast dye, but no anaesthetic or sedation is needed and you’ll remain fully awake and comfortable throughout.
Yes. CT coronary angiography is considered very safe. Like all CT scans, it uses a small amount of radiation, but this is carefully controlled and kept as low as possible. The contrast dye is well tolerated by most people, and your care team will check your medical history to make sure it’s suitable for you.
CT coronary angiography gives us a clear, detailed view of the coronary arteries. This helps to detect problems early and guide treatment decisions more effectively. It can be used to identify:
These tests give us a quick and accurate assessment of your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.
A scan that uses ultrasound to evaluate the structure and function of your heart in detail.
A scan that detects calcium deposits in your arteries, helping us assess your risk of heart disease early.