Cardiologists order PET scans to evaluate myocardial blood flow and metabolic activity—detecting ischemia, quantifying perfusion defects, and distinguishing scarred from viable (hibernating) myocardium. PET helps guide revascularization decisions, assess inflammatory or infectious conditions such as cardiac sarcoidosis or prosthetic valve infection, and clarify unclear findings from other imaging studies by showing active metabolism versus scar.

A PET myocardial perfusion scan assesses blood flow to the heart muscle and can identify areas with reduced perfusion suggesting significant coronary artery narrowing or blockage. It shows the functional effect of blockages rather than directly imaging artery walls. PET is highly sensitive and can quantify blood flow and reserve; abnormal results often prompt further anatomical testing, such as CT or invasive angiography.

A cardiac PET scan typically takes about one to three hours from arrival to completion. The actual imaging portion is usually thirty to ninety minutes, but tracer injection, uptake time, rest/stress protocols, and preparation can extend the appointment. Short perfusion studies are often under an hour, while metabolic (viability) scans may take up to two to three hours because of prolonged tracer uptake.

A PET scan can help evaluate causes and consequences of heart failure by showing myocardial perfusion, metabolism and viability; it detects scarred versus living myocardium, inflammation and reduced blood flow. PET is useful for assessing ischemic causes and guides revascularization decisions, but it’s not the routine first-line test for diagnosing heart failure — echocardiography and blood tests are usually primary.

Costs vary by country and facility: in the United States a cardiac PET scan commonly runs about $1,000–$5,000 or more; in the United Kingdom private scans typically cost roughly £500–£2,500; in India prices commonly range ₹6,000–₹25,000. Final cost depends on location, hospital type, radiotracer use and insurance or public-health coverage.

Cardiac PET scan side effects are usually mild. Risks include low-level radiation exposure and rare allergic reactions to the radiotracer. Injection-site pain or bruising can occur. If a pharmacologic stress agent is used, you may experience flushing, chest discomfort, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache or low blood pressure; serious complications (arrhythmia, heart attack) are very uncommon.