Cardiac MRI

We offer cardiac MRI services across Central Pennsylvania. Our imaging centers use advanced scanners that give your doctor important information about your heart’s health and function. We also perform cardiac MRIs with anesthesia for those who need it to be comfortable.

What Is a Cardiac MRI?

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common, painless test. It produces detailed still and moving images of your beating heart. Doctors can then see your heart’s structure and how it pumps.

Cardiac (heart) MRI creates images without radiation. Instead, it uses a large magnet, radio waves and a computer. These images can help your doctor:

• Decide the best way to treat conditions like coronary heart disease, heart failure and heart valve disease
• Detect and monitor heart disease, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and COVID-related issues like myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
• Explain results from other tests

Learn more about our:

• Heart Failure Clinic
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment Clinic
• Structural Heart Program

Cardiac MRI: The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Advantage

Heart MRI is one of many types of noninvasive heart imaging we offer throughout the Lancaster region. Experienced heart imaging specialists (cardiac imagers) read your images. We use this special expertise to deliver the fastest, most accurate results possible.

You can also expect:

• Advanced MRI scanners: With traditional MRI scanners, you need to hold your breath many times throughout the imaging study. Our modernized MRIs use an advanced magnet that delivers more information in less time. Shorter scan times mean people don’t have to hold their breath as much. It’s a more comfortable experience, especially for people who have shortness of breath.
• Fast results: All our imaging locations have Heart Group cardiologists on-site. This setup helps us deliver your heart MRI results quickly.
• Imaging expertise: Two kinds of imaging specialists review your cardiac MRI images—cardiac imagers and radiologists. Cardiac imagers are cardiologists who have special expertise in heart imaging. Radiologists are imaging experts in the other chest structures including your lungs and spine. These specialists combine their expertise, so your images receive the most comprehensive review possible.
• MRIs with defibrillators and pacemakers: We are one of the only departments in the region offering heart MRI services to people with implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and pacemakers. Our scanners have special magnets that make heart MRIs safe for people with these devices.
• Comfort: If you are claustrophobic or experience discomfort in a closed MRI scanner, we can perform your cardiac MRI with anesthesia. We also offer cardiac MRI alternatives, including cardiac CT, in our comprehensive imaging program.

Cardiac MRI Locations

We offer inpatient and outpatient cardiac MRIs at our main Heart & Vascular Institute location at Lancaster General Hospital. You can also get a heart MRI at our outpatient Suburban Pavilion located at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health's Harrisburg Pike campus.

What to Expect During a Heart MRI

Before your cardiac MRI, our technicians tell you what to expect and answer your questions. They also go over the importance of holding your breath, so we can get the best quality images.

During your cardiac MRI:

1. You lie on a table that slides into the large circular opening of the MRI scanning machine.
2. During the scan, we ask you to lie still. You will hear a loud clicking noise as the scanner creates the images.
3. We perform heart MRIs with or without contrast, a special dye that we give you via intravenous (IV) injection. If you receive contrast, you may briefly feel lightheaded or short of breath

Schedule a Cardiac MRI

To schedule a cardiac MRI, call 717-544-5941.