Scans and X-Rays
There is many different types of scans and x-rays that your GP can request.
Angiogram
An angiogram is a type of X-ray used to examine blood vessels.
Blood vessels don’t show up clearly on ordinary X-rays, so a special dye is injected into the area being examined. The dye highlights the blood vessels as it moves through them. The medical name for this is a catheter angiogram.
CT scan
A computerised tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
CT scans are sometimes referred to as CAT scans or computed tomography scans.
They’re carried out in hospital by specially trained operators called radiographers and can be done while you’re staying in hospital or during a short visit.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram, or “echo”, is a scan used to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels.
It’s a type of ultrasound scan, which means a small probe is used to send out high-frequency sound waves that create echoes when they bounce off different parts of the body.
These echoes are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image that’s displayed on a monitor while the scan is carried out.
An echocardiogram may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.
The test will usually be carried out at a hospital or clinic by a cardiologist or a trained specialist called a cardiac physiologist.
Although it has a similar name, an echocardiogram isn’t the same as an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.
Sensors attached to the skin are used to detect the electrical signals produced by your heart each time it beats.
These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor to see if they’re unusual.
An ECG may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.
The test will usually be carried out at a hospital or clinic by a trained specialist called a cardiac physiologist, although it can sometimes be done at your GP surgery.
Despite having a similar name, an ECG isn’t the same as an echocardiogram, which is a scan of the heart.
MRI scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
An MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. You lie inside the tube during the scan.
An MRI scan can be used to examine any part of the body
PET scan
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to produce detailed three-dimensional images of the inside of the body.
The images can clearly show the part of the body being investigated, including any abnormal areas, and can highlight how well certain functions of the body are working.
PET scans are often combined with omputerised tomography (CT) scans to produce even more detailed images. This is known as a PET-CT scan.
They may also occasionally be combined with a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This is known as a PET-MRI scan.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body.
An ultrasound scan can be used to monitor an unborn baby, diagnose a condition, or guide a surgeon during certain procedures.
You can find out more about all of the different types of scans and x-rays, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Inform