Cardiac Imaging

Please be aware that all Cardiac Imaging requires an appointment. Please call us to arrange a time.

What to bring:

• A referral from your GP or specialist to have the examination
• Medicare card
• Pension/concession card
• Previous films from other clinics relating to the area being scanned with us

Please tell us if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You may be required to have a consultation prior to the examination. Please contact Noosa Radiology staff to organise an appointment.

Some procedures require preparation including fasting and being well hydrated. You should continue taking all prescribed medications as usual.

CT Coronary Angiography

Every day adults with no symptoms of heart disease fall victim to the "silent killer". Each year more than 100,000 people will die of heart attacks before they reach a hospital. For both men and women, heart disease claims more lives than the next six causes of death combined. Because symptoms such as chest pain do not usually occur until the very late stages of disease, many individuals are not aware that a problem or condition exists until it is too late.

With the latest CT technology at Noosa Radiology, we now have the ability to see crisp, clean video of the heart and coronary arteries. Your GP can request a CT scan of the heart and chest that will give you a measure of your heart health before any symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath occur. Consider it a one-stop heart check-up with an analysis of the coronary arteries, valves and myocardial mass. Prior to 64 detector technology, assessment of the coronary arteries was only available by inserting a catheter into a leg artery, which generally involves day admission to hospital. This revolutionary technology was recently featured in Time Magazine as one of the most significant advances in medical imaging technology.

CT Coronary Calcium Scoring

A coronary artery calcium score is the measurement of calcium in the walls of the arteries that supply the heart muscle. It is measured by taking a computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart.

The scan shows the amount of hardening of the artery wall. The results of the scan make it possible to estimate the risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next five to ten years. The more calcium there is, the higher the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

With the latest CT technology at Noosa Radiology, we now have the ability to see crisp, clean video of the heart and coronary arteries. Your GP can request a CT scan of the heart and chest that will give you a measure of your heart health before any symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath occur. Consider it a one-stop heart check-up.

Your doctor will use the coronary artery calcium score to decide whether you are at low, normal, or high risk and, if necessary, guide you to reduce your risk.

This type of scan is a 'screening' test. That is a test you have when you do not have any signs or symptoms of any illness. Screening tests give information about whether a healthy person may have an illness or an increased chance of developing a potentially serious illness. 

Echocardiography

This is an ultrasound of the heart and is performed by a qualified technician using a dedicated ultrasound probe and software. This examination is predominantly used to assess function of the cardiac chambers and valves. The examination is performed by an echocardiographer. It may take up to 45 minutes and requires changing into a gown.

Myocardial Perfusion

Nucelar Myocardial Perfusion studies are a non-invasive and reproducible procedure to demonstrate blood flow to the heart, or myocardium. A tracer is administered intravenously at rest and after stress. Patient's can be stressed using a treadmill or by administration of a pharmaceutical. This gives functional information of areas of the heart which receive reduced blood flow at stress, indicating a significant narrowing to one or more of the coronary arteries.

Noosa Radiology has the latest SPECT/CT Gamma Camera from Siemens. This technology results in up to 25% increased accuracy in myocardial perfusion studies with reduced patient dose. We are the only centre on the Sunshine Coast which can fuse imaging from CT Coronary Angiography with Myocardial Perfusion studies to provide an anatomical vascular map of coronary narrowing.

Exercise Stress Test

An exercise stress test is used to measure the effect of exercise on the heart. This test involves you walking slowly and/or jogging on a treadmill so the activity of your heart can be measured. One of our doctors are in the room with you at all times. Please call Noosa Radiology for more information or to book an appointment.

Holter Monitoring

A holter monitor is a small battery operated portable device that measures and records your hearts activity continuously for 24 hours. Your GP or specialist may refer you for a holter monitor to see if you have a slow, fast or irregular heartbeat. This monitor has no risks and isn't painful to wear. To undergo a holter monitor test you will need to make an appointment with Noosa Radiology. Over the next 24 hours, it is recommended that you proceed with your usual daily activities to ensure the monitor captures an accurate reading of your heart rate and rhythm. You will be given a time to come back to Noosa Radiology to have the holter removed. A report will be sent to your referring GP or specialist the following day.