Heart X-Ray?

[rott]

Just curious, possibly a daft question but is there such a thing as a heart scan or X-ray?

And if there is would a goverment hospital make a charge (to a thai patient) for it?

[lopburi3]

Suggest you consult this website and expand the items on left side by clicking the plus marks for various heart tests.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/diagnostics-testing/radiographic-tests/chest-x-ray-heart

What is used would depend greatly on your needs based on interview and then various tests.

Government hospital may charge for some tests but most people have basic coverage at 30 baht (or free) so would start with that.

[Sheryl]

A routine Chest Xray will show the outline of the heart and is sufficient to determine if for example there is any enlargement.

An EKG will make a tracing of the electrical conduction within the heart, which will determine if the heart has a normal rate and rhythm.

An echocardigram (ultrasound) will show the movement of blood through the different chambers of the heart and identify if there is any blockage ir regurgitation at any of the valves, among other things, and whether the heart is emptying normally with each beat.

There are also CT calsium scans and other less commonly used tests for very specific purposes.

Any hospital will have chest Xray and EKG capacity but the other tests will often not be available at community hospitals, would need referral to a higher level of care

With likjely excpetion of CT clacium scan, the thai UC scheme will cover pretty much all of these tests if ordered by a physician.

it might hep more if you could explain what the specific concern is i.e. what sort of "heart" problem is the patient concerned about?

[nottocus]

Had a CT scan of my heart.

Got a very clear 3d image.

Edited December 10, 2014 by nottocus

[ding]

Had a CT scan of my heart.

Got a very clear 3d image.

Great news... WHERE AND HOW MUCH?

lol

[lopburi3]

Just remember that CT scans involve a relatively lot of radiation so should be used only when needed. MRI might also be an option - depending on what is required. But for most people basic testing is done first, including Stress Test if EKG show issues. and the scans (or cardiac catheterization/angioplasty/stent procedure might be used later if issues of blockage found).

For myself it was a normal pre op chest x-ray (for pending thyroid operation) followed by EKG (these did not appear good) so then stress test (where all sensors showed abnormalities) to angioplasty (and two stents - all done within 4 hours). Option of other tests such as CT scan were discussed but doctor was sure it would still result in need for angioplasty (which it would have) - so better to do that test where they could fix at the same time/expense.