What Is a Heart MRI? A Patient Guide

At Independent Physicians Medical Center (IPMC) in Northeast Philadelphia, we offer cardiac MRI services in a comfortable outpatient setting so you can get the answers you need without a hospital visit.

What Is a Heart MRI?

A heart MRI is an imaging test that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your heart muscle, chambers, valves, and nearby blood vessels. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not use ionizing radiation, making it a safe option for many patients.

Cardiac MRI gives doctors a clear view of how well your heart works and can show subtle changes that other tests might miss.

Why Doctors Order a Heart MRI

Your physician may recommend a heart MRI for several reasons — especially if other tests (like echocardiograms or CT scans) haven’t provided a complete picture. Heart MRIs can help evaluate or diagnose:

• Heart muscle and tissue health — detecting areas of damage or scarring
• Heart failure or weakened heart muscle
• Congenital heart defects — structural irregularities present from birth
• Valve problems or abnormal blood flow
• Coronary artery disease or reduced blood supply
• Inflammation of heart muscle or surrounding structures
• Tumors or unusual growths involving the heart
• Monitoring results after a heart attack or surgery

Because cardiac MRI shows both structure and function, it’s often used when doctors need detailed information to plan treatment, track progress, or make decisions about procedures.

How a Heart MRI Works

During a heart MRI:

1. You lie on a padded table that slides into a large tube-shaped MRI machine.
2. Powerful magnets and radio waves create images of your heart from different angles.
3. You’ll be asked to lie still — and sometimes to hold your breath briefly — to ensure the images are sharp.
4. A contrast agent may be given through an IV to highlight blood vessels or tissue details more clearly.

The procedure is painless and usually takes 30–90 minutes. MRI doesn’t rely on radiation, and you can typically resume normal activities right after the scan.

Who Might Need a Heart MRI?

Heart MRI may be recommended if you have:

• Symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations
• Unclear findings from other heart tests
• A known heart condition that needs monitoring
• A family history of heart disease or structural heart problems

Doctors use the detailed information from cardiac MRI to tailor treatment plans, whether for managing heart failure, assessing damage after a heart attack, or planning interventions.

Safety and Preparation

Cardiac MRI is considered very safe for most people, but you should tell your doctor if you have:

• Metal implants or devices (certain pacemakers or defibrillators may not be compatible with MRI)
• Allergies to contrast agents
• Kidney problems (which may affect contrast use)
• Claustrophobia or anxiety about enclosed spaces

Your provider will give you specific preparation instructions before your appointment.