Hey, a couple of years ago I had a CT coronary angio, but I had a panic attack because of the contrast media, and my heart rate shot up to 120. The staff didn't wait for it to settle and went ahead with the scan. They said my arteries were disease-free and mentioned something about a right circulation and a small caliber artery. How did they even get accurate images with my heart rate that high? Did they just fool me? Also, they originally told me I'd need another CT angio in 10 years. Do you think I need to do a repeat scan now? I'm just really confused about what I should do next.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dr Khaleel Ur Rahim

General Practitioner

MBBS
1+ Yrs

Consult Now

It is possible to obtain accurate images during a CT coronary angiography even if your heart rate increases due to a panic attack triggered by the contrast media. The imaging technology is designed to capture clear images even with some movement. However, if you have concerns about the accuracy of the results or if you are due for a repeat CT angio according to your previous medical plan, it would be advisable to consult with your healthcare provider. They can review your previous scan, assess your current health status, and determine if a repeat CT angio is necessary at this time.

Dr. Dr Khaleel Suggests...

Consult a Cardiologist

Find a Cardiologist

Answered 04/07/2025

Ask Apollo

AI powered Health Chatbot

Continue Chat

Repeat Scan Consideration:
- If advised to repeat in 10 years and no new symptoms or risk factors have emerged, it's generally safe to wait.
- Consult your doctor if you experience new symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
Image Accuracy with Elevated Heart Rate:
- A heart rate of 120 can reduce image clarity due to motion blur.
- Modern CT scanners often compensate for this, but discuss with your doctor if concerned.
Contrast Media Reaction:
- Inform your healthcare provider about your past reaction to contrast media.
- They can explore alternative imaging methods or premedication options to prevent future panic attacks.

Key Points:

Elevated heart rate may affect image clarity but can still yield useful information.
Follow your doctor's advice on scan timing unless new symptoms occur.
Discuss past contrast reactions with your healthcare team for safer imaging options.

Recommended next steps

Consult a Cardiologist or Consult a Radiologist

Find a Cardiologist Find a Radiologist

Answered 20/08/2025

More Cardiology Health Queries

View all

I'm wondering if it's normal to have tachycardia because both my ECG and echo tests came back normal, but I still experience it. My heart feels like it's beating really loudly, and when I check my pulse with an oximeter, it can shoot up to around 120, then it settles back to normal after a while. It's pretty scary when my heart rate spikes like that. Are there any more tests I should consider to figure out what's going on?

Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, can be concerning even if your ECG and echo are normal. Since you are experiencing symptoms such as a loud heartbeat and fluctuations in your pulse rate, it is important to further investigate the underlying cause. To address your tachycardia and associated symptoms, you may consider undergoing additional tests such as a Holter monitor to continuously record your heart's activity over 24-48 hours, a stress test to evaluate your heart's function during physical activity, and blood tests to check for any underlying medical conditions. In the meantime, to help manage your tachycardia symptoms, you can consider taking medications such as Metoprolol (25-50mg) to help regulate your heart rate and reduce the sensation of palpitations. It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.