Chest MRI

Chest MRI: Info and Get a Scan

Key takeaways:

• A chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a type of medical scan that takes detailed pictures of the inside of the chest cavity 

• A chest MRI may help doctors diagnose conditions affecting the organs of the chest cavity, including the heart and lungs 

• Your doctor might suggest a chest MRI if you’re experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness 

• A chest MRI is painless, relatively quick and suitable for most patients 

• You may have a contrast dye injected into a vein in your arm before your chest MRI to highlight the blood vessels

What is a Chest MRI?

A chest MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging scan) uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to take detailed pictures of the inside of the chest. Chest MRI scans highlight the organs of the chest cavity, including the heart and lungs, as well as the blood vessels, muscles and soft tissues. 

A radiologist can then interpret these images to diagnose (or rule out) abnormalities and disease. 

Types of Chest MRI

A chest MRI produces detailed images of the inside of the chest to give doctors an idea of what might be causing symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness. They’re sometimes referred to as a whole-chest MRI. 

If your doctor suspects what might be causing your symptoms, they will perform an MRI specific to that area or organ, such as a cardiac or pulmonary MRI to detect abnormalities or disease in the heart or lungs. 

The type of chest MRI you have will depend on your symptoms:

• Cardiac MRI - A cardiac MRI looks specifically at the heart, including the valves, chambers, heart muscle, heart wall and the major blood vessels. 
• Pulmonary MRI - A pulmonary MRI focuses specifically on the lungs and how well they’re functioning. 
• Vascular MRI - A vascular MRI looks specifically at the blood flow through the major blood vessels of the heart. 
• Functional MRI - A functional MRI of the chest looks at the heart and lungs and how they function, including how well blood flows through the chambers of the heart and how well gases pass through the lungs. 
• Whole-Chest MRI - A whole-chest MRI scan takes images of the entire chest cavity, including the left and right pleural cavities that house the left and right lungs, and the mediastinum, the cavity between the two pleural cavities that houses the trachea, heart and major blood vessels. 

Reasons for a Chest MRI

Your doctor may suggest a chest MRI if you’re experiencing symptoms such as:

• Chest pain

• Shoulder pain

• Tightness in the chest

• Sharp pains in the chest when breathing in 

• Heart palpitations

• Regular fainting

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Difficulty breathing 

• A persistent cough

• Coughing up blood

• A chest infection that won’t clear up

What a Chest MRI Can Diagnose

A chest MRI exam can be used to diagnose many health conditions, including the following: 

• Pulmonary Embolism - a dangerous condition caused by a blood clot, usually originating from the leg, travelling into an artery of the left or right lung, causing a blockage 

• Lung Tumours - cancerous or non-cancerous growths in the lungs 

• Mediastinal Masses - cancerous or non-cancerous growths in the mediastinum, the space between the lungs that houses the trachea, heart and major blood vessels 

• Aortic Aneurysm - a bulge or swelling of the aorta, the main artery of the heart

• Pericardial Disease - inflammation of the pericardium, the sac of soft tissue that surrounds and protects the heart

• Heart Tumours - rare cancerous or non-cancerous tumours growing in the heart tissue 

• Myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium) 

• Pleural Effusion - an accumulation of fluid in the space around the lungs called the pleural cavity

• Chest Wall Tumours - cancerous or non-cancerous tumours in the chest wall

• Lymphadenopathy - swollen lymph nodes in the chest cavity 

How a Chest MRI Works

A chest MRI is carried out by a healthcare professional called a radiographer and usually takes place in the radiology department of a hospital or a dedicated scanning clinic. 

An MRI scanner uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to temporarily disrupt the hydrogen atoms in the body. This temporary disruption creates energy, and each tissue type, such as bones, soft tissues, organs and blood vessels, creates a different level of energy. 

Computers attached to an MRI machine turn this energy into detailed pictures. A specialist doctor, called a radiologist, then views these images and can differentiate between healthy tissue and potential disease. 

Benefits

MRI scans are generally suitable for most patients, including pregnant women (although not usually in the first trimester). Unlike CT scans and x-rays, they don’t require the use of ionising radiation and therefore don't carry the same risks of radiation exposure. 

A chest MRI scan is quick; you won’t feel anything as the scan takes place, and they’re a useful and routine tool for doctors to diagnose and rule out certain medical conditions affecting the organs of the chest. 

Risks & Side Effects

Some patients having a chest MRI require an injection of contrast medium into a vein, usually in the arm, before their scan. A contrast medium is a type of dye that helps create more detailed images of the blood vessels and blood flow within the chest. 

These dyes often contain a chemical called gadolinium, to which some people can have an allergic reaction and side effects. This can be more common in people with kidney disease. 

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to gadolinium include feeling breathless and sweaty, with a metallic taste in the mouth. Your radiographer will monitor you for signs of a reaction. 

Because an MRI machine uses a strong magnet, metal objects are dangerous inside an MRI scanning room. You’ll be asked to remove all jewellery, watches, hair clips and removable devices such as hearing aids before your scan. You’ll be given a safe place to leave all mobile phones, bank cards, cash and keys. 

Speak to your doctor if you have any implants, stents, meshes or metal shrapnel in your body. If you do, they may recommend a different type of chest scan, such as an x-ray or a CT scan. They may also recommend a procedure called an angiography, an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to examine the health of the blood vessels. 

An MRI scanner can feel very closed in, and for people with claustrophobia or who struggle in confined spaces, this might mean that having a chest MRI is difficult. Your doctor may be able to give a mild sedative to help if you think you may struggle inside an MRI machine. 

You’ll be provided with earplugs to reduce the noise level inside the MRI scanner, and you’ll be able to speak to your radiographer via an intercom throughout. 

How to Prepare for a Chest MRI

Having a chest MRI requires very little preparation. You may be asked to have nothing to eat and drink for four to six hours before your scan. Your doctor will let you know if this is necessary for you. 

The Procedure Explained: What to Expect

A chest MRI exam takes place in the following steps: 

1. Changing into a Hospital Gown - You’ll need to remove your clothing and change into a hospital gown for your comfort and to ensure you’re not wearing anything metallic before entering the scanning room. 

2. Safety Screening (Metal, Implants, Pacemakers) - Your radiographer will ask you questions about your health, symptoms and if you have any metal objects or implants inside your body, including a pacemaker. 

3. Explanation of Procedure - They will then explain how your chest MRI will work and ask if you have any questions. 

4. Positioning on MRI Table - You’ll be asked to lie flat on your back on the medical table attached to the MRI scanner.

5. Application of Coils/Sensors - A small coil or sensors will be placed on your chest. These help to create more detailed pictures. 

6. Ear Protection Fitted - You’ll be given earplugs or a headset to help reduce the noise of the magnets as they’re turned on and off. 

7. Injection of Contrast (if required) - If you’re having a contrast MRI, an injection of contrast material will be administered into a vein in your arm. 

8. Scanning Begins - Your radiographer will then move into another room and control the MRI scanner remotely. The medical table will slowly move into the MRI machine, and the scan will start. 

9. Instructions to Stay Still and Hold Breath (if needed) - For the most detailed pictures, you’ll be required to remain still throughout your chest MRI scan. There will be times when your radiographer will speak to you through an intercom and ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds while they take images. 

10. Scan Completion - Once they have enough high-quality images, the scan will be complete, and you’ll be able to get up and get dressed. 

11. Post-Scan Observation (if contrast used) - If you had an injection of contrast material, you’ll be asked to stay in the clinic for half an hour to monitor you for signs of an allergic reaction. This is especially important if you have kidney problems.

12. Results Reviewed by Radiologist - A specialist doctor called a radiologist will then review your results. 

Getting the Results

Your medical team will call you to organise a follow-up appointment, when they’ll discuss your results and any further tests, such as a chest x-ray, blood tests or a CT scan, and any potential treatments. 

Costs

In the UK, a private chest MRI scan generally costs between £250 and £400. 

Get a Chest MRI

Having symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness is worrying and needs to be investigated. A chest MRI may help doctors diagnose what’s causing your symptoms, helping them suggest treatments to help you feel well again. 

Waiting for a chest MRI exam on the NHS may take some time, but if you book a private MRI scan with us, you’ll jump the waiting lists and get answers sooner. Choose from one of over 200 UK-wide clinics and book with no need for a GP referral. 

FAQs

Is a Chest MRI Safe?

Yes, chest MRI scans are considered safe for most people, including pregnant women (although they’re not usually recommended in the first trimester). 

How Long Does a Chest MRI Take?

A chest MRI usually takes around half an hour, but you should allow an hour for your appointment to take into account the time taken to prepare for your scan. 

Can I Have a Chest MRI If I Am Pregnant?

You should still be able to have a chest MRI if you’re pregnant, but it’s best to speak to your doctor, who will decide depending on your individual case. Your doctor may decide it's best to wait until after your first trimester. 

How Accurate Is a Chest MRI?

A chest MRI is considered highly accurate. 

Is a Chest MRI Painful?

No, you won’t feel anything during your chest MRI scan. If you’re having an injection of contrast material, you may feel some discomfort as the dye is injected into your vein. 

Can I Eat or Drink Before the Scan?

Some patients need to avoid having anything to eat or drink for four to six hours before having a chest MRI. Your doctor will let you know if you need to avoid eating and drinking beforehand. 

Will I Need Contrast Dye?

Some patients require an injection of contrast material before having a chest MRI to help show blood flow and potentially blocked blood vessels more clearly on the scan images. If you have kidney problems, let your doctor know, as this may increase your risk of developing an allergic reaction to a chemical called gadolinium that’s present in contrast dyes. 

What Organs Does a Chest MRI Show?

A chest MRI will show all of the organs of the chest, including the chambers, walls, valves and major blood vessels of the heart, the lungs, oesophagus, trachea, muscles and soft tissues of the chest wall, top of the spine, mediastinum (the space in the thoracic cavity between the left and right pleural cavities that houses the heart), the ribs and the diaphragm. 

References 

Krans, B. (2018, September 28). Chest MRI. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/chest-mri

Website, N. (2025, September 12). MRI scan. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/mri-scan/ 

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and  American College of Radiology (ACR). (n.d.). Chest MRI. Radiologyinfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/chestmr#4f4c24bd2d2743a4aeb008e998a2a15b