Can I Have A MRI With A Heart Stent? A Guide To Ease Your Doubts

Physical examination through MRI is little by little gaining an edge over the conventional X-ray, which is explainable if you think of its non-radiation operation. 

Lower risks, lower chances of health problems in the future, yet the scan images present clearer details. You have close to nothing to be concerned about to obtain a precise diagnosis of your organs and their potential conditions. 

The thing is, you might find yourself wondering, “Can I have a MRI with a heart stent” countless times after signing up for the examination. 

The technique of MRI scanning isn’t perfect. It makes use of magnetic field components, which might pose certain threats to pieces of metals on your body, including stents. So, how about we help lay all your inquisition to rest by showing you what an MRI is actually about?

How Are MRIs Used?

MRI scanning, short for Magnetic resonance imaging, utilizes radio waves and magnetic fields to produce images of your internal anatomy. 

The reaction between the proton inside a human’s body and the generated energy is captured by specialized computer programs, showing all the parts you need to see.

As long as the equipment employed is operated by a skilled physician, your experience will be absolutely safe. The elements involved in an MRI session aren’t linked to any side effects. You don’t need to feel intimidated if required to remain in the machine longer than expected. 

The stronger the magnet, the sharper the results that come out. You’ll be provided with quite an amount of information on your organs, joints, ligaments, and soft tissues to monitor their conditions. 

This helps to inform your doctor of the abnormal occurrence in the ways they function. As a result, it also enables a close investigation of the injuries you possibly sustain on the insides. 

Can I Have A MRI With A Heart Stent?

In short, you can. MRIs can be conducted with all current stents.

The Constant Worry With MRIs and Heart Stents

It’s completely rational to question your eligibility to undergo an MRI with metallic devices in certain body parts. It’s magnetic fields that’ll be entering you, and the one thing we all know is that they might cause a serious case of dislodgement in your implants. 

This spells bad news for heart stents, seeing as their job is to extend the girth of your arteries to improve the blood flow. They should not move out of place under any circumstances. 

This would put MRI takers in a predicament, if we’re living in the past and not the 21st century. 

The Safety Of MRIs in 2022

Implantable objects are no longer a rarity in medical fields. The growing preference for MRI from the patients’ side has also given the manufacturers a good reason to make them safe for the procedure. Most of them come with zero or very weak ferromagnetic properties and won’t be affected by the pull of magnets.

For those who have had their heart stents inserted recently, it’s best to wait out for at least six weeks. The surgery takes time for a proper recovery, as it’s imperative for the tissues to close around the implants and keep them still inside your blood vessel. 

The risks of experiencing anomalies in the middle of the scan are low, but precaution is never unnecessary. Any MRI plan of yours should be postponed unless an emergency comes up.

Notes For Test Takers 

• Seeking suggestions from doctors

You might try to consult the doctors who perform the heart stent implantation on you. More than anyone, they know the specifications of your devices and what to pay attention to while living with them. 

You can end up with valuable advice about whether an MRI scan is a smart decision for you or not.

• Know the model of your stents

Almost every heart stent made after 2007 has been tested to be non-ferromagnetic and MRI-safe. If you are certain the models inside your system have no earlier production date, you don’t have to go out of your way to take a measure. 

Asking the doctors to use a machine whose Tesla is lower than 3 is also recommended. Basically, Tesla is used to gauge the strength of the magnetic field you’ll be experiencing in the scan, and the safest level is 3 and below.   

Who Should Not Get A MRI?

Even when the MR imaging technique is typically safe, you shouldn’t be considering it if you fall into one of the following.

Pregnant Women

During the first trimester, an MRI scan might have unwanted effects on the development of the babies, particularly the formation of their organs. You might take the examination in case of an urgent situation, but only with the approval of a trusted doctor. Make sure to choose a reliable center first.

People With Allergy To Contrast Dye

You either have to take contrast dye orally or through injection prior to the MRI examination to create a contrast between the target structure and the background (or other tissue). This might result in an unpleasant scenario if your body deems it an allergen and comes down with awful reactions (vomiting, nausea, stomachache, etc.). 

There is a chance that you’re unaware of what your body treats contrast dye as. The only option is to consult your doctor and let them know your history of medication allergies. They might be able to figure out something helpful from the information.

People Who Have Metals On Them

Your heart stent might cause no issue as you enter the MRI machine, but this doesn’t apply to other metallic elements. They’re still an injury risk, and removal is necessary for your safety to be ensured during the scan. 

If the pieces are medical devices under the surface of your skin, not visible to the eyes, and can’t leave your body, let the doctors know about their presence. 

Be it drug pumps, implanted nerve stimulators, implanted joints, or something as simple as dental fillings; once they contain metals, you can’t think lightly of them.

Conclusion

Can I have a MRI with a heart stent? It depends on the specifications and years in which your models came out. But for the most part, heart stents aren’t a fatal threat. 

As long as you proceed with each step carefully and keep nothing from your doctors, you should be receiving the right instructions for the scan. 

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