Hendrick Health now offers cardiac MRI for advanced imaging applications of the heart and heart function.

With the recent addition of software, technology and certified staff, cardiac MRIs are now available using the 1.5T MRI systems at Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood.

Painless and noninvasive, cardiac MRI offers a detailed, robust examination of the heart. Applications include evaluating the anatomy and function of the heart chambers, heart valves, major vessels and the surrounding structures such as the pericardium. Blood flow and the size of major vessels also are measurable with cardiac MRI.

“Cardiac MRI complements Hendrick Health’s comprehensive cardiology services and reflects a commitment to provide advanced procedures to residents of Abilene, Brownwood and West Central Texas,” said Dr. Rob Wiley, chief medical officer for Hendrick Health. “Bringing this technology to our area allows patients to stay closer to home for diagnostics and care.”

Physicians can use the results of a cardiac MRI to detect and/or monitor multiple cardiac diseases and conditions, such as cardiac masses, heart ejection fraction, myocardial infarction damage, congenital heart problems and more. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to perform.