The choice of test is individualized, of course. With so many options available, and new imaging enhancements in development, patients can feel overwhelmed by “all the tests.” So, we thought it would be helpful to provide a quick overview of cardiac imaging, from the fundamental to the highly specialized, and explain how each test can help our patients avoid or overcome heart disease. Our team also utilizes advanced imaging techniques, such as cardiac CT and cardiac MRI to create detailed, cross-sectional views of the heart and help diagnose complex or rare disorders.

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to create moving pictures of your heart’s chambers, valves, and walls.A stress test assesses blood flow to the heart muscle during rest and exercise.An electrocardiogram (EKG) records electrical signals in your heart.“Seeing” it in action is an essential part of evaluating, diagnosing, and treating potential cardiovascular conditions.Īt UT Southwestern, we use an evolving suite of sophisticated cardiac imaging tests, ranging from echocardiograms to cardiac MRIs, to create a clear picture of your current heart health and where it’s headed in the future.īecause the heart is also a highly complex organ, we can use different imaging tools to assess its many functions. Your heart is one of the hardest working organs in the body – beating once per second or about 3 billion times in the average person’s lifetime.

Heart blood flow print