When Do You Need a Heart CT or Angiography?

The heart, our body’s less than tireless engine, really asks for careful and accurate attention in order to work in harmony. In fact, prevention of possible health issues is almost a ticket to success if therapies will be easy rather than complicated. 

Among the most classic means to diagnose the condition of the heart stand out those referred to as heart CT (computed tomography) and coronary angiography. Knowing the time and cause of these tests can facilitate the patients’ taking of preemptive measures for their cardiological health.

Understanding Heart CT

Heart CT or coronary CT angiography is a non-invasive imaging test that captures high-resolution images of the heart and the vessels. The scan can uncover blockages, calcium deposits, and changes in the structure. In fact, it is very beneficial for people with such risk factors as hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, or the occurrence of heart disease in the family.

The process is simple. The patient is on the table and the scanner takes multiple pictures of the heart. Usually, a contrast dye is given to make the blood vessels visible, thus allowing the doctors to evaluate the coronary arteries correctly.

When is Heart CT Recommended?

Heart CT is largely unnecessary for people in general. Doctors usually decide to conduct it in such cases as:

• Unexplained Chest Pain: Heart CT may be done on patients suffering from chest discomfort without the cause. The test can help in excluding coronary artery disease.
• Intermediate Risk Assessment: In people with risk factors that are moderate in number but no symptoms, Heart CT is beneficial to visualizing the buildup of plaques and determining if the heart has disease or not.
• Pre-Surgical Evaluation: To be sure that the heart will not suffer from the surgery, Heart CT might be done before certain operations.
• Monitoring Known Heart Conditions: In the case of patients with detected heart problems, CT scans can be used for following the changes either due to the progression or treatment over time.

Understanding Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography, or angiography as it is more commonly known, is a major surgical intervention that gives a detailed image of the arteries of the heart. A Heart CT is quite different from this one in that here a catheter is put into the blood vessel, and then it is taken to the heart where a contrast dye is injected to visualize the blood flow.

This is considered the most accurate method for the detection of severe blockages and deciding the requirement for an intervention like a stent or bypass surgery. Angiography is very helpful, especially in the case of patients with very noticeable symptoms or whose test results show abnormalities indicating a severe condition of the coronary arteries.

Heart CT and angiography are the two options to choose from

The choice of a Heart CT scan or angiography rests on the patient’s symptoms, risk profile, and previously conducted diagnostic tests, among other factors. The non-invasive Heart CT facilitates early detection and can be used for moderate risk evaluation. Invasive angiography, therefore, is for those patients who require a definite diagnosis and possible therapeutic intervention.

Sugam Hospital is a facility where the needs of patients are met through the usage of advanced technology and the expertise of cardiologists for each diagnostic and treatment decision. Our Heart Centre at Chennai is equipped with state-of-the-art CT and angiography facilities, enabling accurate diagnosis as well as interventions on time.

At Sugam Hospital, we are committed to the well-being, security and comprehensive care of the patients’ hearts, thus being an excellent option for people who need a specialist in the cardiac field.

To diagnose heart diseases correctly and on time are definitely life-saving procedures. It is a very important and helpful piece of information for doctors and patients that they know when to choose a Heart CT or Coronary Angiography. By offering the most advanced imaging and the best cardiologist, Sugam Hospital guarantees excellent results for each and every patient. Sugam, without a doubt, is one of the best cardiology hospitals in Chennai and the first choice for any cardiac assessment.