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06/Oct/2025

Have you ever gotten up with a pain of tightness in your chest and have no idea what happened? Maybe you forgot your water bottle at the gym, or didn’t even drink a sip. Whatever the reason, you can be certain that it could be dehydration.

Water is always good for your body. You are approximately 60% water; if you don’t drink the recommended amount, complications may arise. Because of dehydration, you feel pain in your chest. Reviewed by an expert at ViaScan, PhD. John Duncan, this guide will help you determine when dehydration is the cause of chest pain and when you should be concerned about your health. We will also explore how imaging tests can provide solutions. The following symptoms can be used to diagnose what is happening to you.  

Are the chest pains related to dehydration, or do they indicate some other issue?  

In most cases, the chest pain is caused by dehydration; however, most people believe that this is not a frequent occurrence.  Having less water in your body means that your blood is thicker, and your heart needs to pump harder.  Electrolyte levels can also be disturbed by dehydration, making minerals such as sodium and potassium imbalanced and causing the heart to beat abnormally.  The loss in proportion can lead to chest pain or soreness.

Chest or lung conditions, such as a heart attack, angina, or a chest infection caused by a pulmonary or lung blood clot, may also be indicated by chest pain. You cannot assume dehydration is the cause and ignore other symptoms. Chest pain from dehydration is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as very dark urine, dry mouth, and dizziness. When your chest pain is sudden or there are other severe symptoms, it is wise to get imaging tests for chest pain to determine serious disorders.

What dehydration symptoms are indicators of chest pain? 

Feeling out of breath can easily give the deception of heart issues when you are dehydrated. The following signs should be observed:

  • Rapid heart rate:

Low fluid levels can lead to a rapid heartbeat. It might feel like heart disease, but it is just your body responding to dehydration.

  • Chest tightness or pressure:

With low body fluid in your chest, the muscles that surround the chest make that tight feeling, which can be very scary.

  • Feeling lightheaded and dizzy:

Dehydration reduces blood pressure, making you feel dizzy. These are the symptoms that clinical pain associated with the chest may have, and lead to unreasonable worry.

  • Shortness of breath  

A sensation of Breathlessness is often due to a lack of sufficient fluid in the body.  That causes difficulty in the passage of oxygen in and out, and your breathing becomes rapid or a challenge, and your chest tightens.

  • Fatigue and weakness:  

You feel quite tired, and weak, and heavy in the chest, and hard beset still to catch your breath.

What is the difference between a sore chest due to lack of hydration and a serious heart condition?  

You can save your life by realizing the difference. An obvious contrast now follows so that you get to know what kind of pain you might be feeling these days:

Dehydration-Related Chest Pain Heart-Related Chest Pain
Usually feels like tightness or discomfort Often feels like crushing pressure or squeezing
Improves after drinking water and resting Doesn’t improve with hydration
Comes with dry mouth, dark urine, and thirst May come with arm pain, jaw pain, or back pain
Happens after exercise, heat exposure, or not drinking water It can happen at rest or with minimal activity
Heart rate is fast but regular May have an irregular heartbeat or a very slow pulse
Gets better within 30 minutes to an hour Persists or gets worse over time
Not accompanied by sweating or nausea (usually) Often comes with cold sweats, nausea, or vomiting
Breathing improves with rest Breathing difficulty continues or worsens

This table provides a starting point; however, when in doubt, always seek a medical evaluation. Imaging tests for the chest, including heart and lung scans at facilities like ViaScan, can give definitive answers about what’s happening inside your body.

Should chest pain always be treated as a medical emergency?

Some forms of chest pain are the ones that you can’t afford to ignore. Call 911 right away when the chest pains are accompanied by one of these warning signs: 

  • The pains spread to your arm, jaw, neck, or back;
  • The pains are squeezing and crushing in quality and are very intense. 
  • The pains come with cold sweat and/or a sense of nausea in your stomach, and you discover that you are having trouble breathing.

 These signs can mean a heart attack or any other condition that leads to death.

Seek emergency care if chest trouble comes on suddenly and hurts, if you have

  • high blood pressure, 
  • diabetes, smoking, 
  • and family history of heart disease. 

Time is crucial with the heart. Even though you are a healthy young individual, any sudden acute chest pain without any other symptoms hints towards rapid diagnosis. There is pain in the chest that may be due to dehydration, and you cannot always keep a check on whether this is fine or not. Physicians have tools to check in less time whether your heart is under any danger or not, and provide you with life-saving therapy.

What immediate step should you follow if you feel that dehydration is causing your chest discomfort?

  • Sit down and rest in some dark place. Cease any exercise. 
  • Take in water slowly, every 15 minutes. Don’t drink a lot at once, that will upset your stomach.
  • As a medical professional, I suggest drinking an electrolyte or sports drink because it provides water and the minerals your body needs all at once.

Monitor your symptoms. Chest pain from dehydration must improve within 30 minutes once you drink fluids.  Unless it improves, or gets more frequent, and you have new severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain in your arm, call emergency services immediately.  Once the pain has disappeared, take a check-up routine appointment, particularly in case it is not the first time you have experienced the pain.  The doctor will also perform a scan of your heart, chest, and lungs during your appointment, so that he can ensure everything is fine.

What types of tests does a doctor request to eliminate heart disease, or else dehydration?  

When a person visits the doctor due to chest pain, the first examination will include simple tests. 

  • This usually begins with blood tests to assess electrolytes, kidney function, and enzymes in the heart, which increase whenever there is a heart injury.  
  • Next, an electrocardiogram (EKG) could reveal an issue in case of a possible heart attack or arrhythmia.
  • Blood temperature and resistance to the oxygen supply in the blood provide immediate indications of your circulation.
  • To get a better look, or rather to have a closer examination of your body, there are imaging tests for chest pain that take detailed photographs.

 In the case of our ViaScan service, our Heart Scan utilizes a CT scanner to determine the amount of calcium present, which informs you of your risk of developing heart disease long before any signs of the disease appear. Early indications of lung disease, such as early lung infections, which may cause chest pain, can be detected through a Lung Scan. To provide what Whites call total peace of mind, our Whole Body Scans scan your entire body’s overall well-being.

These preventive scans are especially worthwhile when you have experienced several documented incidents of chest aches. They can identify problematic cases before they escalate into emergencies. 

Why would you utilize ViaScan to treat chest pain problems?

ViaScan understands you are afraid of chest pain, whether from dehydration or not. With our top-level imaging, you can look inside yourself and see exactly what’s happening inside. Whole Body Scan, the Heart Scan, and the Lung Scan give you and your physician the facts on making smart health decisions.

Heart or lung disease is what individuals do not realize that they have because the disease remains undetected until it is too late. The significance of preventive imaging then resides in the fact, i.e., it diagnoses an issue at an early stage, while it is easiest to tackle proactively. When you go through all the symptoms outlined above (like feeling chest pain, which presented itself because of dehydration), it is a lesson that you can still understand your body. Early detection can save your life.

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

Chest pains can be caused by dehydration, and it does not occur as rarely as people think. Should not misjudge chest pain. It involves knowing when it is time to hydrate, when it is time to relax, and when it’s time to run to the hospital. In any case, it’s best to be on the safe side. Continue drinking water throughout the day and remember to do so. However, remember that imaging procedures done to assess chest pain can provide concrete evidence of your heart and lung status. With high-tech scans using ViaScan, you receive the information and assurance needed to take care of your health. Book your preventive scan now and take the step that will give you peace of mind. You will be glad you did in the future.


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04/Aug/2025

When it comes to heart health, early detection can save lives. Coronary artery disease creeps in silently and is the leading cause of heart attacks in the US. But, do you know what the good thing is? CAD is detectable and curable when identified early, and knowing what tests are available for early, safe detection is crucial. 

Whether you are experiencing symptoms or just want to be concerned because of your family history, getting tested for CAD is your early line of defence. At ViaScan, we specialize in noninvasive imaging techniques to help you catch the disease early, before the symptoms start haunting you. Let’s explore the tests for coronary artery disease, why early testing is important, and how CAD is tested.  

What is coronary artery disease?

CAD occurs when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked with plaque buildup. This calcium deposition will completely or partially block the coronary arteries, reducing the supply of blood, ultimately leading to chest pain and heart attacks.

Coronary artery disease doesn’t come with full-blown symptoms. Therefore, early screening or a coronary CT scan can help you identify the extent of blockages, especially if you fall into the following categories:

  • Have a family history of heart disease
  • Overweight or obese
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes 
  • Smoking

The crucial part is that you may not even experience the symptoms until it’s too late. Therefore, getting tested early when you can will allow you to make early medical interventions.

How is coronary artery disease tested?

There are several ways to detect CAD, but the modern and safe way is noninvasive coronary CT scans, which are leading the way.

Coronary Calcium Scan

This quick and noninvasive scan uses an advanced CT scanner to measure the amount of calcium deposited in the walls of arteries. The calcium score indicates the level of risk your heart faces and helps identify early signs of plaque buildup. Coronary calcium scans can also be used for those who smoke or do not exhibit heart disease symptoms to determine their risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Blood Tests

Blood testing can measure cholesterol and blood sugar. A high-sensitivity test for C-reactive protein (CRP) detects a protein associated with inflammation in the arteries.

Electrocardiogram

This brief test examines the heart’s electrical activity. It displays the heart’s rhythm. Electrodes are sticky patches that adhere to the chest and occasionally the arms and legs. The electrodes are connected via wires to a computer, which prints or shows the test findings. If you have had or are experiencing a heart attack, the ECG signal patterns can reveal it.

Nuclear Stress Test

Stress tests examine your heart while it is beating rapidly and working at a high rate. Your doctor may prescribe medication to temporarily increase your heart’s workload if you have a medical condition that keeps you from exercising. Your healthcare professional will use an ECG or another imaging test to look for insufficient blood flow to your heart muscle. As you exercise, an ECG will track the electrical activity of your heart.

Heart CT scan

This CT scan of the heart will identify and show blockages in the arteries, as well as detect the extent of calcium deposition. Arteries might constrict due to calcium deposits. During the scan, dye is occasionally administered intravenously. This dye will flow through the arteries, allowing your doctor to clearly visualise the blood flow and take detailed images of the carotid arteries. This scan is known as a CT coronary angiography if dye is utilized.

A safer way to diagnose coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease comes with no warning signs. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms such as:

  • Shortness of breath 
  • Sudden chest pain
  • Palpitations 
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness after minimal work

Don’t delay a heart CT scan. But what is the risk-free and safest way to detect coronary artery disease? A quick and noninvasive coronary CT scan at Viascan. We specialize in low-dose CT scans to provide you with an accurate diagnosis within a few minutes. 

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion 

Knowing how CAD is detected and what options you have will put you in control. Early screenings and timely detection allow you to make early lifestyle changes for a healthy future. Even if your arteries begin to narrow due to blockage, you might not feel a thing. Therefore, early detection is crucial for identifying CAD and assessing early symptoms. Viascan offers a range of imaging services, including heart CT scans and coronary calcium scans, to provide a clear picture and insight into your heart health, allowing you to prevent complications.


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28/Jul/2025

In the USA, the most common type of heart disease is Coronary artery disease (CAD), and according to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control & Prevention), it is affecting 1 out of 20 (About 5%) Americans aged 20 and older.

Coronary artery disease, the leading cause of heart attacks, does not always occur with crushing chest pain or collapse. In fact, sometimes it comes silently, and many people don’t even know they have it for years until it progresses to a dangerous stage. Knowing the symptoms early and getting a CT heart scan is a key to saving your life.

At ViaScan, we have helped thousands of people diagnose heart disease with our non-invasive scans before it becomes untreatable. Let’s discuss how early screening can help in diagnosing issues before symptoms appear, Allowing you to take early medical interventions. 

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

CAD Occurs when plaque, composed of fats, calcium or cholesterol, builds up in your coronary arteries, Which carry Nutrients-Rich blood to your heart. This Condition, in which your arteries become blocked or narrowed due to the deposition of plaque, Reducing blood flow to the heart is called atherosclerosis.

This will eventually lead to chest pain or heart failure. If arteries are completely blocked, you are at risk of a heart attack. but can you stop coronary artery disease from progressing? Yes, Even after atherosclerosis develops. You can slow its progression with early diagnosis, and certain healthy lifestyle changes.

  • Regular Exercise
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Quit smoking, and alcohol consumption
  • Weight loss
  • Manage cholesterol levels
  • Manage diabetes if you have it.

However, if you are not taking preventive care, the plaque will continue to grow. It ultimately will block your arteries completely, and this is when the symptoms of coronary artery disease begin to show.

Common symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Atherosclerosis develops slowly, So people often do not experience any symptoms until it completely blocks their arteries. The most common coronary artery disease symptoms you may experience include:

1. Chest pain

The most common sign of CAD is Angina, Which occurs when the heart does not get enough oxygen. This deprivation of oxygen leads to chest pain or angina. this may feel like pressure in the chest area, accompanied by tightness or pressure. People often experience it while exercising and feels better after taking a rest. However, if it remains consistent, you must consider it a warning and head for a quick heart CT scan.

2. Shortness of breath

This often feels like you are not getting enough air while breathing. Even a slight workout leaves you breathless; This is your sign to consider a coronary scan, As your heart may not be pumping blood efficiently.

3. Fatigue or Tiredness

When you feel a loss of energy even after completing small daily tasks. This is a sign that your heart is not receiving enough nutrient-rich blood, Which affects its functioning. Eventually your body will not receive enough nutrients, making you feels tired all day.

4. Cold Sweats or Dizziness

You may feel dizzy during physical activity or experience cold sweats. These may not be directly related to heart related disease. But are major red flags if they occur during angina or chest pain.

5. Heart Palpitations

If you experience an irregular heartbeat or heart is racing, it may be due to an insufficient blood supply, and oxygen supply to your heart.

6. Other symptoms

You may experience pain or discomfort in areas such as the back, arms, neck, or jaw, or shoulders. Womens are more likely to experience pain in places other than the chest region.

How early screening can help?

Most people don’t even know they have CAD (coronary artery disease) until they experience a heart attack. However, early scanning and diagnosis with a CT angiogram can help:

  • Detect deposition early
  • Score your coronary calcium levels
  • Identify potential blockages

This will give you clarity and a head start for treatment long before the symptoms appears.

At ViaScan, our low-dose and non-invasive CT Scans offer a detailed view of your coronary arteries, and providing insight into your hearts’ health in just a few minutes.

Who should watch for these symptoms?

People often assume that CAD develops only at an older age, but it can also develop in your 30s. You are at risk if you:

  1. Have a high cholesterol level 
  2. Smoke or were a chain smoker in the past.
  3. Are overweight.
  4. Have diabetes 
  5. Have a family history of heart disease.

How is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?

If you fall into any of these categories, An early CT angiogram scan can be Life Saving. From detecting deposition to identifying blockages, these quick CT scans provide a thorough diagnosis blockage before symptoms appear.

When it’s about your heart and you need a diagnosis for coronary artery disease, you must choose a trusted partner. At ViaScan, we offer comprehensive non-invasive low-dose heart scans in Irving, TX, to provide you with a complete view of your heart health. We have helped young people in their 30s and older, as well as those in their 60s, take control of their heart health. Most of them had zero symptoms but major blockages.

Choose Our Preventive Colonoscopy Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Final Words

Coronary artery disease often develops silently, with no or minimal symptoms, such as chest discomfort, or fatigue. People with a family history of heart disease, diabetes or high cholesterol levels are at major risk. even if you exercise daily or eat a healthy diet, Stress and your genetics can still put you at risk. However with early diagnosis and preventative care you can stay ahead of your heart condition. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen, & get a diagnosis early.


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21/Jul/2025

Time is of the essence when you have a heart to worry about! When you consult your doctor and are scheduled to get a Heart CT scan, you are likely to ask yourself how many hours of your day will be consumed. You said you are going to miss lunch? Can you fit it into your lunch hour? Are you free to clear your afternoon?

Being a qualified scanning expert, I receive these time-related questions daily. Customers prefer to know clearly what they will be signing up for, and frankly, that is good planning! A heart scan may appear to you to be something never-ending; however, the truth of the matter is more thrilling than what you can imagine.

The heart scanning of today is fast, convenient, and designed to suit your hectic lifestyle with minimal interruptions. Let us break down what you can really expect!

What is the Time Taken for The Heart CT Scan?

And here is the most amazing moment: most people would be surprised to learn that the actual heart CT scan itself can take only 10 to 15 minutes. 

Throughout those several seconds, you will lie on a comfortable table with everything still as the CT scanner will rotate about you and take hundreds of detailed images of your heart. The machine is fast enough to capture clear pictures between heartbeats, which is quite amazing when one takes a second to consider this.

In some cases, when your heartbeats are quick or irregular, it may take 20 minutes to scan, which is incredibly fast. The scanner has become so advanced that, intelligently, it can operate in sync with your heartbeat, allowing it to capture perfect pictures once.

The point is to remain quite stationary in those seconds. Consider it a very significant photograph; you want to be as still as possible so that the image turns out to be as clear as possible.

How long should a customer’s overall visit last?

Although the actual scanning itself is extremely rapid, you will spend between 30 minutes and an hour at the facility. This consists of the total time of preparation, which is equally important as the actual scan.

Upon arrival, you will need to complete some paperwork and allow 10 to 15 minutes for check-in. Next, you will be transferred into a comfortable hospital gown, a process that will take approximately five minutes. The technologist will discuss the procedure and address any questions you may have about it.

If you require the use of contrast dye, you may need an additional 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. The staff will also place certain monitoring electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm during the scan.

Once you have completed your “heart scan,” you will take a couple of minutes to dress and then be given basic instructions regarding your results. Most of the facilities are highly efficient, and your time is respected; therefore, they maintain a steady pace.

My advice? Allow for an hour in total and carry a good book or download a podcast in case of a minor delay.

Is the heart scan time-consuming with Contrast Dye?

Great question! Taking contrast dye does take some time from your appointment, but not if you believe. The contrast dye helps produce ultra-clear and detailed images of your heart and blood vessels, much like high-definition television does for regular tv.

An additional 15-20 minutes should be allowed when contrast dye is required. This will consider the time needed for a technologist to insert a small line into your arm using an IV, a procedure that lasts approximately one to two minutes and involves a slight pinch.

The contrast injection occurs immediately prior to your scan and usually requires no more than 30 seconds. You may experience a warm feeling that runs through your body – it is perfectly normal and, in fact, an indication that the contrast is working just as it should.

Once the scan is complete, you will lie down for approximately 10 minutes as the medical staff ensures you are in a stable condition before you leave. There is concern among some people about side effects; however, serious reactions are extremely rare with newer contrast materials.

The fortunate part is that the actual heart CT scan is no longer necessary due to the use of contrast; the 10 to 15 seconds it takes to scan the body part is still extremely fast.

Do I Immediately Get the Results After the Scan?

This is the most frequently asked question, and I completely understand the reasons why you would want to have the answers at hand. Although the scanning process is incredibly fast, it simply takes a little longer to get your total results, as precision is crucial when it comes to your heart.

All the pictures from your so-called heart scan will also be thoroughly studied by a specialised radiologist (read: a physician highly qualified in interpreting medical images). The elaborate review would typically require 24-48 hours, as they would scan hundreds of pictures to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Yet, in case something requires attention, the radiologist will call your doctor immediately, e.g. even when you are still in the scanning centre. The emergency findings are dealt with urgently; therefore, you never think of delays when something important is at stake.

Depending on the specifics of your doctor’s request, especially in certain parts of scanning centres, the preliminary results can be provided on the same day. The findings will then be discussed with you by your doctor, who will clarify them regarding your health status.

You will receive a follow-up in most places within a few days, or they may have an online patient portal where results are available.

What can I expect in Recovery?

Yet another piece of good news is that there is practically no recovery period or time required after a heart CT scan. Because it is a non-invasive process (that is, nothing is put inside your body, except that the milk chocolate and marble chocolate might remain outside of your body by dint of your IV and your stomach), you are able to resume all your usual activities immediately.

If you received contrast dye, you may be advised to drink additional water throughout the day to aid the absorption process, but this is the most specific advice that most people receive.

You can drive home, return to work, exercise, eat normally, and do what you usually do. One can perform any activity without limitation following a heart CT scan.

Others are slightly nervous after waiting to get their results, and this is normal. It is essential to remember that no news is typically good news; however, if you have any updates to share, please contact your medical team immediately.

Choose Our Preventive Colonoscopy Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

Receiving a heart CT scan should not be the event that affects your whole day or makes you stressed over time. When it takes only 10 to 15 seconds of real scanning time and the total time is approximately an hour to gather a wealth of information regarding your heart’s health, it is among the most effective time-saving methods to find out in detail about your heart health.

At ViaScan, we appreciate your busy life, and we will serve you well through efficiency and quality in our heart scanning services. When it comes to protecting your heart, you cannot afford to lose any moment (and that’s why we make sure these moments are worth spending)


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23/Jun/2025

The question that many people ask is how long the colonoscopy procedure will take, how they will manage their work during the procedure, and when they can return to their normal life. As a healthcare provider, I often hear a lot of speculation and scary stories that many people have about colonoscopies.

The procedure of colonoscopy does not take as long as most people think it does. The primary process does not occupy as much time as a normal television program. However, the entire process consists of several stages, which are time-consuming. The following are the details.

What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy allows doctors to examine the inside of your large intestine using a small camera attached to a flexible tube. As a medical procedure, it utilises an endoscope, a flexible tube that is inserted into your body and features a lighted camera at its tip. Endoscopes come in various forms for different body sections. A colonoscopy involves the colonoscope entering your colon by your rectum and anus. It shows clear images of the interior of your big intestine on a screen.

What are The Benefits of Performing Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is an intensive examination of the large digestive tract (colon). The doctor operates using a thin, flexible tube with a small camera attached to it. That camera enables them to view the inner part of the colon on a television screen. It is as though a little explorer is being sent inside the bowels to take photographs and investigate issues.

The Reason Why People Undergo Colonoscopy.

  • Prevention of cancer. This is the most crucial reason. Small growths that develop before becoming cancerous are called polyps and can be detected using a colonoscopy. Searching for them early will literally save your life.
  • Health issues: When you experience pain in your stomach, changes in your bathroom habits, or other digestive problems, a colonoscopy can help determine the cause.
  • Routine examinations: After reaching a certain age, typically 45 or 50 years, doctors recommend regular colonoscopies to monitor the health of the colon.
  • Family history: If cancer is in your family, you may be required to have colonoscopies earlier or frequently.

The goal is to detect issues at an early stage.  They can be cured more easily by addressing minor problems before they escalate into major and costly ones.

How much time does a Colonoscopy really take?

The question everyone wants to know is how long it takes, which is between 15 and 45 minutes. In most cases, it is typically 20-30 minutes.

The reason behind the range?

  • Typical colonoscopy time: 20-30 minutes. This is what most people feel. The doctor spends enough time examining everything.
  • Complex colonoscopy: 30-45 min. Perhaps they need to clear a polyp, or your colon is winding and twisting, requiring more time to assess.
  • Very complicated procedures: It may take almost an hour, but this is rare and mostly occurs when numerous polyps need to be removed or when other complications are present.

The doctor will never rush your procedure. They strive to do a good job and ensure that everything is in order. Additional minutes of the process help avoid much more significant issues in the future.

Do I require sedation, and does that take time?

The majority of them do receive sedation, and yes, it does take some time from the total length of your visit. As an experienced doctor, I want to explain how this works and what it means for your schedule.

There are two types of Sedation:

  • Light Sedation: You will be calm and sleepy but not unconscious. It is the most widespread one. You are very likely to forget most of the procedure.
  • Deep Sedation: You will be in a deep sleep and will not recall any of the events. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are highly anxious or have previously undergone challenging procedures.
  • No Sedation: Some individuals opt to undergo the procedure without sedation. It can be done, although most individuals would prefer to be sedated, as it is much more comfortable.

The Effect of Sedation on Your Time:

  • Pre-procedure: The procedure will require you to wait up to 15 to 30 minutes to get sedated and to ensure that the medical team has you comfortable.
  • In the process, the sedation does not actually affect the duration of the actual colonoscopy.
  • Post-procedure: It will take you 30-60 minutes to wake up and ensure you are on your feet before you can leave.

In case of sedation, you will not be able to drive home yourself. You will have to have someone pick you up. This is one of the safety regulations that all medical facilities are adhering to.

What is the recovery time of a Colonoscopy?

The recovery time of a colonoscopy is almost always fast and painless! The post-procedure recovery phase, or the recovery time right after your procedure, usually takes 1-2 hours in case you received sedation. Throughout this period, you will be in a recovery room, spending between 30 and 60 minutes feeling somewhat groggy or sleepy. You may also experience some gas or bloating, which is normal, as the procedure uses air to assist the doctor in obtaining a clearer view. The medical team will examine your blood pressure and ensure that you are fine before releasing you to go home. To recover on the same day, most individuals are totally fine in 2-4 hours following the procedure. Most of the time, you can eat regular food immediately, but you may feel a bit tired due to the sedation.

How frequently will I need a Colonoscopy exam?

This likely is one of the most significant questions, and the answer lies in what the doctor finds during your colonoscopy. In case the results of your examination are normal, you will not have to take another colonoscopy at all until 10 full years. If you have small polyps during your procedure, you will likely require another colonoscopy in 3-5 years. Small polyps are quite common and are not particularly dangerous. The doctor simply wants to monitor the situation to ensure that things do not change. In case of a family history of colon cancer, you might require colonoscopies every 3-5 years rather than every 10 years. They may be required in 1-2 years in people with a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease.

Where to Get a Colonoscopy?

People are often confused, and it doesn’t have to be difficult to choose a place for a colonoscopy. You desire to have the trusted colonoscopy services, which are also affordable. The following are the key considerations.

Colonoscopy services are available in several kinds of facilities:

  • Gastroenterology hospitals
  • Outpatient surgery units
  • Full screening centres

A comprehensive screening centre like ViaScan can also offer packages that simultaneously screen multiple components of your health. That is convenient and smart. Other health screenings available at the best centres include wellness body scans, lung scans, heart scans, angiograms, and CT scans. This is a plus since you will be able to handle several screenings at a location, which saves you time and money.

What does a comprehensive scan include?

  • Full body wellness scans to identify any abnormalities discovery
  • Heart scans to detect any early symptoms of heart sickness
  • Scans of the lungs of individuals who smoke or those with breathing issues
  • CT images of a detailed view of areas
  • Angiograms to test the health of blood vessels

Having multiple screenings at the same time saves you the time of travelling to various medical institutions numerous times, i.e., time off work, time spent on the road, and, in many cases, it is more affordable to get the tests done in one visit than individually.

Choose Our Preventive Colonoscopy Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

Delaying this health screening is not worth it! The quicker you do it, the faster you can forget about it and move on with your good life.ViaScan offers top-notch colonoscopy procedures and a comprehensive range of other health checks. Their professional staff realises that you are a busy person and will do everything they can to ensure that your screening process is fast, comfortable, and complete.

ViaScan is dedicated to offering a range of screening services under one roof, allowing you to access your colonoscopy and other essential health checks, including a heart scan, lung scan, and comprehensive full-body wellness scan. This saves you time and helps you stay on track with your overall health. Keep in mind that a few hours of your day to have a colonoscopy may save you literally. And now that you understand precisely how long all of this will take, you can plan your day to the maximum and enter the whole process with confidence.


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05/May/2025

Abstract

The blog examines pediatric heart rate development by showing parents and caregivers which heart rate patterns should raise concern for specific child age groups. This discussion explains changes in heart rate that occur in child development and covers potential rate-altering variables, together with symptoms of heart issues and guidelines for seeking medical help. This article provides research-based data on queries regarding child cardiovascular health.

Introduction

Are you aware that your palm detects far more rapid heartbeats in your child’s chest? The fast heartbeats which could worry an adult are natural and healthy for children. Children possess distinct heart dynamics from adults since their hearts remain more diminutive and show higher operational effectiveness with faster heart rates throughout the system. Knowledge about how heart rates should naturally change according to age stages enables parents to detect normal variations from unsafe cardiac conditions.

The human heart structures of children show continuous modifications through their age-related development. The resting heart rate of a newborn ranges from 70 to 190 times per minute, but this rhythm will decrease as their physical development brings them to adolescence, then adulthood. Children undergo a natural growth of body functions that matches their evolving physiology and metabolic requirements.

What Does a Normal Heart Rate Look Like in Children of Different Ages?

First, we need to recognise a dangerous heart rate. Heart rate during rest in a child depends on their age:

Age Group Normal Resting Heart Rate
Newborns (0-1 month) 70-190
Infants (1-11 months) 80-160
Toddlers (1-2 years) 80-130
Preschoolers (3-4 years) 70-110
School-age (5-12 years) 70-100

 

The ranges above correspond with typical resting heart rate values for healthy children as noted by the American Heart Association and further confirmed by a centrally reviewed Paediatrics article (Fleming et al., 2011). 

What Parents Should Be Concerned About When Their Child Has A Heart Rate?

When the normal heart rate ranges are considered, what should a parent start to worry about? Heart rates normally become a concern when they fall outside normal age expectations or when there are other symptoms as well.

Potential Warning Signs

These may indicate a dangerous heart rate:

  • Heart rate consistently above the upper limit for your child’s age
  • Lethargic for your child and heart rate below the lower limit
  • Irregular heart rhythm or “skipped” beats
  • Failure of the heart rate to respond appropriately to activity or after a period of rest.
  • Symptoms that accompany dizziness, fainting, chest pain, and unusual fatigue

Left untreated, persistent tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate) can cause cardiac remodelling and cause patients to channel Dittany of Crete through the pulse (Gopinathannair et al., 2015). It emphasises the value of seeing if symptoms are developing.

What Factors Affect a Child’s Heart Rate, and what are some Measures to take?

Age is not the only variable that determines what should be normal for your child’s heart rate. Many physiological and environmental factors cause temporary fluctuations that do not have to be dangerous.

Normal Factors That Increase Heart Rate

  • Physical activity and exercise
  • Emotional states (excitement, fear, anxiety)
  • Fever 
  • Certain medications
  • Dehydration

Measures to keep in mind if your child experiences an abnormal heart rate

  • Visiting your doctor on a regular basis functions similarly to providing your heart with a performance evaluation. 
  • During visits, a doctor measures heart rhythm and monitors heart changes.
  •  The tests ensure strong heart performance by monitoring your heart health.
  • Heart scanning at ViaScan uses special equipment to photograph the heart while causing patients no pain.

 When to Visit ViaScan?

If you have concerns about your heart condition, you should speak with your doctor who treats you regularly. ViaScan can tell you if the ViaScan heart imaging has any value. Your body depends on your heart muscle for its operation, therefore making it vital to maintain heart health for future athletic and recreational activities.

What Medical Conditions Influence Heart Rate? 

  • Anemia
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Infections
  • Congenital heart conditions
  • Certain genetic disorders

How Can Parents Monitor Their Child’s Heart Rate at Home?

It is important to know how to properly check the heart rate of your child to get an idea of how their heart is working.

Methods for Measuring Heart Rate

Pulse Palpation

Brachial pulse (on the inside of the arm) for infants

For children over 6 years old, check the wrist (radial pulse) or neck (carotid pulse).

Multiply 4 times the count for 15 seconds.

Digital Monitors

Pulse oximeters

Digital blood pressure monitors with pulse reading

Smartwatches or fitness trackers 

Smartphone Apps

There are plenty of validated apps that can detect heart rate using the phone’s camera.

ViaScan’s Heart-Screening

ViaScan identifies heart complications when they begin, as it detects heart problems. The screening service provides valuable protection to people with a family history of heart disease.

Heart scans are painless for patients. There are no needles or scary things. The machine performs its procedure by capturing heart pictures as the patient lies down. After identifying any unusual findings during a scan, doctors will develop individual treatment plans specifically directed at preserving heart health.

When Does Immediate Medical Attention Need to Be Granted?

However, some of these heart rate abnormalities need to be evaluated quickly by a doctor. Parents should be particularly alert to such scenarios.

When to Call the Doctor?

  • When resting, the heart rate is above the upper limit of the heart rate of your child’s age group.
  • Not returning to normal ranges of heart rate 20 minutes after activity stops.
  • We presume irregular heartbeat or palpitations that do not go away.
  • Chest pain with or without feeling faint, with or without breathing problems

When to Seek Emergency Care?

  • This had extremely high heart rates without an apparent cause.
  • Or lethargy and confusion, or poor colour with heart rates below the lower limit.
  • Any significant heart rhythm abnormality with symptoms like chest pain, severe dizziness, or loss of consciousness
  • It is accompanied by severe difficulty breathing, and it includes heart rate changes.

What Help Can Parents Give to Children for Healthy Heart Development?

Besides monitoring heart rate, parents can do things to encourage good heart health in children.

Heart-Healthy Habits for Children

  • Regular physical activity appropriate for age
  • Balanced nutrition with limited processed foods
  • Adequate sleep
  • Techniques to help you handle stress in an older child
  • Regular preventive healthcare

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion 

Understanding what constitutes a normal versus dangerous heart rate for your child doesn’t need to be anxiety-inducing. Having age-appropriate ranges and knowing what your children’s normal levels are will allow you to approach this aspect of their health with a sense of comfort rather than concern.

ViaScan offers advanced screening options that may provide additional peace of mind for parents, especially if they are highly concerned about cardiovascular health. While your child’s paediatrician is the person to see if your child needs a check-up, there is always a foundation for monitoring and maintaining your child’s heart health through their growing years.


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28/Apr/2025

Overview

This blog explores what is considered a dangerous heart rate for a woman, how heart rates differ between men and women, age-related changes, and the impact of lifestyle and hormonal factors. Learn how to recognize warning signs, understand what your heart rate is telling you, and when to seek medical care from cardiac specialists like ViaScan.

Introduction

A fist-sized powerhouse beating 100,000 times a day, the heart drives life-sustaining blood throughout our bodies. However, how many of us really comprehend exactly what our heart rate is saying about women’s health in particular?

So, what is considered a normal heart rate for a woman versus a dangerous one? When should it result in a call to your doctor? What about a person’s age, fitness level, and hormonal changes, and whether these are suitable?

We will go through everything you need to know about women’s heart rates, from understanding the numbers to recognising warning signs that must not be neglected.

What Is Considered a Normal Heart Rate for a Woman?

At rest, the normal woman’s heart rate tends to be anywhere from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). This is what is known as your resting heart rate, the pulse you would get when you are not just relaxed but also sitting or lying down, and not having just done a piece of exercise.

While it is known that women tend to have higher resting heart rates than men, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that women have slightly faster baseline heart rates than men.

What are some factors affecting normal heart rate?

Age-Related Variations

Your normal heart rate changes throughout your lifespan:

Age Group Average Resting Heart Rate (bpm)
Newborns 100-160
Infants 90-150
Children (1-10) 70-120
Adolescents 60-100
Adult women 60-100
Senior women (65+) 60-100 (may trend lower)

 

Fitness and Heart Rate

Physical fitness significantly impacts resting heart rate. Well-conditioned female athletes generally have resting heart rates between 40 and 60 bpm since their hearts are strong and efficient. This is a sign of cardiovascular health in this population, and it would not be concerning if this were at a lower rate in less athletic individuals.

When Does a Heart Rate Become Dangerous for Women?

Usually, there are two categories of dangerous heart rate for women: tachycardia (too fast) and bradycardia (too slow).

Tachycardia: When Fast Becomes Dangerous

Tachycardia is the condition of having a heart rate above 100 bpm at rest. Research published in the European Heart Journal found that persistent tachycardia can be notably concerning in women since such arrhythmia may be suggestive of underlying conditions that plague women more widely, such as thyroid disorders or specific types of structural heart disease (Magnani et al., 2018)

 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy057

Types of tachycardia include:

Sinus tachycardia: A nodal heart rate rise from the sinoatrial node (natural pacemaker of the heart).

  • Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT): A tachycardia in which the origin is above the ventricles.
  • Ventricular tachycardia: Rapid heartbeat that is dangerous to the ventricles

Irregular and often rapid heart rate that increases stroke risk; At this point, it is called atrial fibrillation

Look out for any of these warning signs that your fast heart may be dangerous.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Fainting or near-fainting episodes
  • Palpitations that do not stop when you are still, as your resting heart rate should.

Bradycardia: When Slow Signals Trouble

Bradycardia refers to a resting heart rate below 60 bpm. This is normal for athletes or when sleeping, but can be dangerous if it occurs along with symptoms or under other circumstances.

Concerning symptoms of bradycardia include:

  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
  • Fainting spells
  • Shortness of breath

How Do Hormones Affect a Woman’s Heart Rate?

The heart rate changes differently in a female body due to unique hormonal fluctuations in the female body.

Menstrual Cycle Effects

Many studies show that heart rate variability differs with the menstrual cycle. Rates typically increase during the luteal phase, days 14-28, versus the follicular phase, days 1-13. 

Pregnancy and Heart Rate

The American Heart Association says a woman’s normal heart rate usually goes up by 10–20 beats per minute while pregnant. This increased cardiac output supports the development of the fetus. This elevation is normal but not dangerous unless something concerning accompanies it.

Menopause Transition

Perimenopause and menopause are accompanied by hormonal shifts, which result in palpitations and episodes of tachycardia. Research in the journal Menopause has indicated that 40% of women reported heart palpitations during this life transition (Thurston et al., 2016)

 https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e31823fe835).

How Do Temporary Dangerous Heart Rates Occur?

Temporary changes in heart rate, rises and drops, can result from several potentially dangerous situations.

  • Rapid heart rate can occur due to dehydration as your body works to maintain blood pressure.
  • Fever: The increase in heart rate per given degree (F) of fever is about 10 bpm.
  • Certain medications affect the heart rate significantly: Some, including cold and allergy preparations, can reduce it, and in some cases, drastically so
  • Acute anxiety or panic attacks: These can lead to heart rates going up to 160 to 180 bpm
  • Also, stimulant use: caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, etc., can dangerously elevate heart rate.

Even brief episodes of extreme heart rate elevation are linked to a higher risk of cardiac events in women.  

How to Measure Your Heart Rate Effectively?

A considerable amount of progress has been made in self-monitoring heart rate:

Manual Pulse Checking

The radial pulse or carotid pulse is located by placing your index and middle finger on your wrist where the pulse is just above your palm or on your neck, near your throat.

  • Count the beats for 15 seconds.
  • Multiply by 4 to arrive at the beats per minute.

Technology-Assisted Monitoring

  • Fitness trackers and smartwatches
  • Home blood pressure monitors with pulse reading
  • Dedicated heart rate monitoring apps
  • Consumer ECG devices

When to Record Your Heart Rate?

  • Morning (resting rate before activity)
  • During and after exercise
  • When experiencing symptoms
  • Tracking for your doctor is the same time every day.

When Should I See a Doctor About My Heart Rate?

See a doctor if you have:

  • Sustained resting heart rate above 120 bpm or below 50 bpm (except for the athlete)
  • Irregular heart rhythms, especially with symptoms
  • Not a correct increase in both exercise and resting heart rate.
  • Returning to normal heart rate after exercise in more than 10 minutes
  • Chest pain along with shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, regardless of the normal heart rate.

If you notice any of these signs, it may indicate an underlying cardiac issue that requires prompt evaluation. In many cases, undergoing a professional heart scan can provide detailed insights into your heart’s health and catch early signs of disease before symptoms become severe.

Knowing what is considered too high or too low of a heart rate for women empowers you to take proactive steps to protect your heart. Monitoring your heart rate regularly, understanding your normal range, and responding to unusual changes can lead to earlier detection and more effective treatment.

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion:

Your heart rate is a barometer and an early warning about how fit your general health is. The numbers certainly matter, but the most useful ones come with the other pieces of data: your age, fitness level, hormonal status, and possibly any of the symptoms you might be suffering from.

From checking your heart health or if you have been experiencing worrisome signs, you can always speak to your healthcare provider or cardiac experts, such as ViaScan, who provide advanced cardiac testing and individual risk assessment.  Every minute of every day, your heart works fast for you without stopping. An investment of time spent to understand its language is a boon for your long-term health.


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21/Apr/2025

Slightly after you have been breathing normally, do you feel like you’re going to drown? Even if you’re on dry land. The pulmonary embolism makes its mostly unwelcome announcement with this terrifying sensation. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels through the veins and blocks one of the arteries in the lungs that carry blood back to the heart. Each year, this dangerous condition affects thousands of Americans and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Allow us to explore this serious medical condition by answering some of the key questions about its causes and risk factors.

Why did Blood Clots travel to the Pulmonary Arteries?

Pulmonary embolism is most frequently caused by blood clots (which are simply clots of blood), formed in the deep veins of the legs (a condition called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Physical traits, such as these clots breaking free and travelling the bloodstream to the lungs, which they are prone to, are physical traits.

  • A blood clot’s journey takes place on a specific path.
  • Forms in a deep vein (usually in the legs)
  • Travelling through larger veins, it breaks loose.
  • Passes through the right side of the heart

It enters the pulmonary trunk (the main artery of the blood that passes through the heart to the lungs).

Small pulmonary arteries cannot accommodate their size and get stuck in them.

Since all blood passes through the lungs to pick up oxygen, all blood-borne clots will eventually end up in the pulmonary vessels unless they dissolve along the way. The pulmonary arteries branch so closely, creating trap points that clots can get wedged on the narrowing sections and stop blood flow to the tissue of some of this lung.

What Factors make a Patient at greater risk of having a Pulmonary Embolism?

Other things that can raise your risk of having blood clots that could develop into pulmonary embolism include:

Risk Category Specific Risk Factors
Medical Conditions • Cancer, Heart disease, COVID-19 infection and  Inflammatory bowel disease
Situational • Recent surgery or trauma, Extended bed rest, Long-distance travel 
Medications • Hormone replacement therapy and Birth control pills containing estrogen
Personal Factors • Pregnancy and postpartum period, Advanced age, Obesity and Smoking

 

A landmark study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that cancer patients had an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (Venous thromboembolism includes pulmonary embolism) (Khorana et al., 2007).  

How does a Blood clot impact the Pulmonary Trunk and lung function?

When a blood clot lodges in the pulmonary trunk or any of the pulmonary arteries, it begins a chain reaction of events.

  • Blocks blood flow to portions of the lungs
  • Prevents proper oxygen exchange
  • Increases pressure in pulmonary vessels
  • Works harder than normal, causing the right side of the heart to work harder.
  • In severe cases, it can lead to right heart failure.

However, the symptoms depend on the size and location of the clot. Small clots in peripheral pulmonary arteries may cause little, if any, symptoms, and large clots that block the pulmonary trunk would be immediately life-threatening.

Can a Pulmonary Embolism present before there are Symptoms?

Weirdly, many sufferers of pulmonary artery blockages often present with little or subtle symptoms, which are more likely to be confused with other things. Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Pain that intensifies with forceful exhaling
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Cough (sometimes with bloody sputum)
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

Nevertheless, it is estimated that up to 30–50% of pulmonary embolism cases are asymptomatic. Its silent nature makes it particularly dangerous because treatment delays compound mortality risk.

Why Early Screening for Pulmonary Embolism Can Be Life-Saving

Preventing the formation of blood clots is the best way to avoid pulmonary embolism. If you have risk factors, consider these preventive measures.

  • Do Not Sit Still – don’t sit for excessive periods
  • Stay hydrated, especially when travelling
  • Choose compression stockings for long flights

If prescribed, follow what your doctor recommends regarding blood thinners

Early detection is key to identifying concerning risk factors or symptoms. Viascan provides advanced imaging services that can help identify pulmonary embolism before it becomes life-threatening. Their latest CT pulmonary angiography can also detect even small clots in the pulmonary arteries, which can be addressed quickly and as soon as possible.

Choose Our Preventive Lung Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

Preventive screening is also offered via the Preventive Screen, which will help identify factors that are at risk of blood clots and cardiovascular disease so that you can take action to protect your health. All via the expertise of expert radiologists with convenient locations, this is how you know exactly where you stand when it comes to your pulmonary health status.

When it comes to pulmonary embolism, don’t wait until the symptoms are severe; understand your risk factors and seek appropriate screening early to save your life.


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17/Mar/2025

Getting a recommendation from your doctor for requiring a chest CT scan generates both worries and uncertainty. Modern medicine uses this enhanced imaging technology to combine X-ray data measured from various directions to create detailed body section images. Your lungs, together with heart tissue and vascular structures and airways alongside chest bones, get shown in detailed 3D images through a CT scan despite basic chest X-rays providing only two-dimensional pictures. Advanced imaging systems let doctors recognize different medical issues that otherwise would stay undetectable and unclear. The reason for taking this test, as described by your doctor, will help reduce your concern and prepare you for the next steps. This piece examines the typical circumstances that trigger physicians to conduct chest CT scans in addition to explaining the scan findings and alternate imaging approaches and the essential patient requirements before the procedure.

What Medical Conditions Can a Chest CT Scan Diagnose?

The CT scan technology of the chest turns into an essential diagnostic instrument for healthcare practitioners to examine various thoracic region issues. A few millimeter lung nodules can be detected by CT scans, thereby enabling prompt diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer. Chest CT scanners prove highly effective in pneumonia diagnosis, particularly when standard X-rays produce unclear results to detect bronchiectasis, in addition to their ability to assess interstitial lung diseases leading to pulmonary fibrosis.

Coronary CT angiography is a heart scanning method used to evaluate coronary artery disease through analysis of heart blood vessels. It performs multiple diagnostics by showing vascular blockages in coronary arteries, measuring heart chamber dimensions and heart function, and checking the aorta status for aneurysms and dissections.

How Does a Chest CT Scan Compare to Other Imaging Options?

Three main factors, the suspected medical condition, the need for detail, and the degree of risk to patients from radiation exposure determine physicians’ choices for an imaging test. Laura Marie Fayad explains that there are differences in imaging tests. Understanding the distinctions between an MRI, CT scan, and X-ray will help you and your doctor decide which imaging modality is best for you. X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs are diagnostic procedures that let medical professionals view the body’s internal components. 

Standard X-rays and CT scans provide better picture quality than ordinary radiology, with separate body section images without overlapping caused by standard procedure radiology. CT imaging offers superior gate viewing capability for inspection of small to moderate body structures, especially of the mediastinum.

What Should Patients Know Before Undergoing a Chest CT Scan?

Depending on the procedure selected and whether a specific chest CT scan includes contrast agents, there are different requirements for the chest CT scan. The main preparation step for patients who wish to get non-contrast scans is to remove only metal objects within the scan area. Patients must fast for some hours before contrast-enhanced studies and testing of kidney function might be done since contrast agents leak through the kidneys during elimination.

Iodine allergy needs to be notified to all healthcare providers by all patients, and patients must disclose their use of substances used in previous image procedures, too. Before experiencing treatment, previous reaction patients may be given premedication treatment containing antihistamines with steroids to minimize their chance of reaction. This is because radiation can harm developing fetuses, and patients need to come out about their pregnancy condition.

When Might a Doctor Order Follow-Up Chest CT Scans?

Follow-up imaging is an important central tool for assessing several chest conditions through specific time-based diagnostic-related timing protocols and clinical framework protocols used by healthcare providers. Regular CT scan imaging for cancer patients measures tumor changes such as dimensions and characteristics, and therefore, CT scan imaging determines treatment outcomes.
 After treatment, the medical team uses decreasing surveillance checks over the years in case there are signs of recurrence or metastasis. CT imaging, in combination, allows a medical practitioner to see any complications of thoracic surgeries and how the thoracic cavity processes healing following any thoracic surgery. Cardiac procedures require heart scan follow-ups to check the results of procedures and to diagnose stenosis following procedures, stent restenosis, or bypass graft failure.

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

In addition to detailed visualization of lungs, heart, and blood vessels as well as surrounding anatomical features, chest CT scans are also effective in diagnosing. The combination of innovative modern CT technology and the use of radiation reduction protocols provides the implementation of modern CT technology through ViaScan. Their cardiac calcium scoring and coronary CT angiography programs involve the heart scanning capabilities of these programs, which can provide detailed results for detecting cardiovascular diseases at the initial stages and in the stage when treatments are proving most successful, just before the symptoms become evident.


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03/Mar/2025

Medical imaging helps to diagnose the conditions of the heart before those conditions become serious. The cardiac CT scan and CT angiogram are two currently used tests for evaluating the heart and blood vessels. So, how do these tests differ? Knowing their different roles can help patients decide if they should take steps to increase their heart health. Thus, this blog will break down the differences between these two procedures as to when and why each would be appropriate to use.

What Is a Cardiac CT scan?

A heart cardiogram imaging test, also known as a cardiac CT scan, is a specialized X-ray imaging test that enables detailed cross-sectional images of the heart and its surrounding structures. The procedure is noninvasive and helps doctors detect coronary artery disease, heart defects, and other abnormalities.

An X-ray beam captures multiple images of the patient lying on a table while that table moves through a CT scanner. The images are then scrambled to create an overall image of the heart. As a safer, more comfortable option for some patients, a cardiac CT scan does not require catheter insertion, as does a traditional angiogram.

What Is a Cardiac CT scan

What Is a CT Angiogram?

CT angiogram is a more detailed imaging test used to study the blood vessels, including the coronary arteries. CT scanning, in combination with a dye that’s absorbed into the bloodstream, highlights blockages or narrowing in the arteries.

It is especially useful for diagnosing conditions such as coronary artery disease, aneurysms, and blood clots. This contrast dye makes it easier for doctors to see potential problems with blood flow more clearly than is possible with a standard cardiac CT scan. CT angiograms have high accuracy in the diagnosis of arterial blockages, signifying a valuable tool for early diagnosis and treatment planning, as claimed by Smith et al. (2021).

How Do Cardiac CT scans and CT Angiograms Differ?

Both tests use CT imaging technology, but they are used for different purposes and procedures:

  • Objective: A cardiac CT scan is mainly used to evaluate the anatomy of the heart, including the heart chambers, valves, etc. A CT angiogram, on the other hand, focuses on blood flow and pollution of the arteries.
  • Contrast Dye: A cardiac CT scan will or will not use contrast dye, while a CT angiogram must use contrast dye to bring out the blood vessels.
  • Both tests are noninvasive. A CT angiogram requires intravenous contrast infusion, whereas a cardiac CT scan can be performed without dye in some cases.
  • Cardiac CT scan and CT angiogram diagnostic focus: A cardiac CT scan is used for general heart assessment, and a CT angiogram is used to detect specific arterial conditions.

Johnson & Lee (2020) also found that CT angiograms are more accurate in detecting the severity of arterial blockage, while cardiac CT scans are better for evaluating heart function and anatomy.

Which Test Is Right for You?

A cardiac CT scan or CT angiogram is chosen based on the symptoms and concerns the patient has. A cardiac CT scan can be recommended for patients with suspected structural heart problems or congenital heart defects or general heart screening by doctors. In contrast, a CT angiogram is often used in patients with chest pain, symptoms of coronary artery disease, or a high risk of heart attack.
You must consult with a healthcare professional if you are uncertain which test will be best for you. The latest technology is used to provide both “cardiac CT scans” and CT angiograms through ViaScan so that a correct diagnosis and better heart health can be provided.

Choose Our Preventive Heart Scan

Early Detection Saves Lives!

    • Accurate
    • Quick Result
    • Affordable

Conclusion

Cardiac CT scans and CT angiograms are very useful diagnostic tools in determining heart health. However, they are not the same thing. A cardiac CT scan is a broad view of the heart’s structure, while a CT angiogram focuses more on detecting blood vessel abnormalities. That can inform patients and doctors on the best way for them to diagnose if there is something wrong with the heart. ViaScan offers advanced, noninvasive heart scans to help you stay on top of your cardiac health if you are looking for reliable cardiac imaging.