17247 Multigated Acquisition Scan Muga

Overview

A MUGA scan is a painless heart test. MUGA stands for multigated acquisition. It makes moving pictures of your heart as it beats, so your doctor can see how well the lower chambers of your heart pump blood. It gives a very accurate number called the ejection fraction. That is simply the percentage of blood your heart squeezes out with each beat. A normal result is usually somewhere between 50 and 70 percent, but your doctor will explain what your own number means. The scan does not treat anything and does not hurt. It is a way of taking a careful look at how your heart is working.

Yes. A MUGA scan is a common and well-established test. It is one of the most reliable ways to measure how strongly the heart is pumping, and it has been used safely for many decades.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Breathlessness, especially when you are active or lying flat
• Feeling unusually tired or worn out during normal daily activities
• Swelling in your ankles, feet or legs
• A heartbeat that feels fast, fluttering or uneven
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when you stand up
• Waking up at night short of breath

Symptoms in children

• Getting tired quickly when playing or walking
• Feeding slowly or sweating during feeds in babies
• Poor weight gain in babies and young children
• Breathlessness or a bluish tint to the lips during activity
• Needing extra reassurance and simple explanations before the test

Symptoms in older adults

• Breathlessness that is put down to getting older but is actually a heart change
• Swelling in the legs that is easy to miss
• Confusion or unusual tiredness, which can be a sign of a heart problem in older adults
• Feeling dizzy or unsteady on your feet

Causes

Main causes

• To check the heart before, during or after certain cancer treatments that can weaken the heart muscle
• To measure how well the heart is pumping when someone has heart failure
• To see how much the heart was affected after a heart attack
• To check the heart before or after some types of heart surgery or procedures
• To see how well a treatment for a heart problem is working
• To get a baseline picture of the heart before starting a treatment that might affect it

Risk factors

• High blood pressure over a long time
• A previous heart attack or blocked heart arteries
• Problems with the heart valves
• Some types of cancer treatment, including certain chemotherapy and chest radiotherapy
• Drinking a lot of alcohol over many years
• Some viral infections that inflame the heart muscle
• A family history of heart muscle weakness
• Other long-term conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Chest pain or pressure that concerns you
• Breathlessness that is new, severe or getting worse quickly
• Fainting or near-fainting
• A heartbeat that feels very fast or uneven and does not settle
• Sudden swelling in the legs, ankles or belly

Book a routine appointment if:

• Breathlessness when you are active that is new or getting worse
• Tiredness that is not explained by your usual routine
• Mild swelling in your ankles or feet
• Occasional palpitations, particularly if they happen often
• Any questions about an upcoming MUGA scan or about results you have already received

Diagnosis

The MUGA scan is the test itself rather than a diagnosis. It is ordered by your doctor to answer a specific question about how well your heart is pumping. Before the test you may be asked some questions about your health and any medicines you take. Small sticky patches are placed on your chest so your heartbeat can be watched during the scan. A small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. This tracer is not a dye and it does not make you feel different. You then rest for a short while so the tracer can reach your heart. After that you lie on a table while a large camera moves around your chest and takes pictures, timed to your heartbeat. You need to stay still during this part, but you can breathe normally. The pictures are then studied by a specialist, who works out your ejection fraction and reports the result to your doctor.

Tests that may be done

• MUGA scan, which measures the ejection fraction and shows how the heart chambers move
• Echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan of the heart, often used alongside or instead of a MUGA scan
• Electrocardiogram, a quick recording of your heart's electrical rhythm
• Blood tests, which can show strain on the heart or other conditions
• Chest X-ray, to look at the size of the heart and the lungs
• Cardiac MRI, a more detailed scan used in some situations
• A review of your medicines and your medical history with your doctor or nurse

What to expect at your appointment

You will usually be able to eat and drink normally on the day, and you should keep taking your usual medicines unless your team tells you otherwise. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave jewellery at home if you can. Tell the team if you are pregnant, think you might be, or are breastfeeding. The injection feels like a small scratch and then nothing. The scan itself is painless, and you can go home straight afterwards and drive yourself if you feel well. Drinking plenty of water afterwards helps clear the tracer from your body. For a short time after the scan, you may be advised to avoid very close, long contact with pregnant women, babies and young children. This sounds dramatic but it is a simple precaution, and your team will explain exactly what is sensible in your case. You should get your results from the doctor who referred you, usually within a few days.

Treatment

A MUGA scan is a test, not a treatment, so nothing is treated during the scan itself. The result guides your healthcare team. If your heart is pumping well, that may mean you can carry on with a planned treatment with confidence, or that a heart treatment is working. If the pumping is weaker than expected, your team can adjust your care, choose different treatments, or monitor you more closely. Either way, the scan gives everyone a clearer picture.

Self-care at home

• Keep taking your usual medicines unless your healthcare team tells you to stop any of them
• Tell the team about all your medicines, including anything you buy without a prescription and any supplements
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing on the day and avoid a lot of jewellery
• Drink plenty of water after the scan to help clear the tracer
• Ask for a copy of your result or ask your doctor to explain the numbers in plain words
• Keep a simple note of symptoms such as breathlessness or swelling so you can describe changes clearly at appointments

Medical treatments

What happens next depends on what the scan shows. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, such as eating well and being more active as far as your heart allows. They may prescribe medicines that help the heart pump more strongly or take strain off it, and they will explain the options and why they are suggesting them. If the heart is under strain, they may recommend other tests or a referral to a heart specialist. If you are having cancer treatment, your cancer team and heart team will work together to balance the benefits of treatment with looking after your heart. Always follow the advice of your own healthcare team rather than any general information you read online.

When is surgery considered?

Most people who have a MUGA scan do not need surgery because of the result. Occasionally, if the scan or other tests show a serious heart problem, a specialist might discuss procedures such as heart surgery, a valve repair, or a small device that helps the heart beat more effectively. These decisions are made carefully with a heart specialist and are based on the whole picture, not on one test alone.

Living with this condition

Having a MUGA scan usually has no effect on your daily life. You can get back to your normal activities straight after the appointment. If the scan shows your heart is working less well than expected, you may need a few changes and some regular follow-up appointments, but many people carry on with work, family life and hobbies with support from their healthcare team.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep up with your routine appointments, even when you feel well
• Take your medicines as prescribed and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure about anything
• Stay as active as your team advises, building up gently over time
• Cut down on salt if your doctor advises it, as this can help with swelling and breathlessness
• Limit alcohol, and ask your team what is sensible for you
• If you smoke, ask your local health service for help to stop, as this is one of the best things you can do for your heart
• Weigh yourself at the same time each day if your team suggests it, and report sudden changes
• Ask about the timing of future scans so you can plan ahead

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and healthy fats, and less salt and processed food, supports heart health. Being active helps your heart and your mood. Aim for something you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or gardening, and build up slowly. If you are having cancer treatment or feel very tired, ask your team what level of activity is right for you. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can help you find a safe starting point.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel anxious before a heart test, or while waiting for results. Some people feel worried about what the numbers might mean, especially if they are already dealing with cancer or another serious illness. Talking about your worries with your doctor, nurse or a counsellor can help a lot. If low mood or anxiety is affecting your sleep, appetite or daily life, please tell your healthcare team. If you ever feel unable to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support service straight away.

Prevention

A MUGA scan is a test, so it is not something you prevent. What you can help prevent are the heart problems the scan looks for. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range, not smoking, limiting alcohol, staying active, eating well and attending routine health checks all help protect your heart. If you are having a treatment that can affect the heart, regular monitoring with tests like this one is itself a form of prevention, because problems can be spotted early.

Screening programmes

A MUGA scan is sometimes used as a monitoring test rather than a screening test. For example, some people having certain cancer treatments have their heart checked at set intervals before, during and after treatment. How often you need a scan, and whether you need one at all, depends on your treatment and your health. Your healthcare team will tell you what schedule is right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• The scan itself is very safe. Complications are rare and usually minor, such as a small bruise where the injection was given.
• If a heart problem is present but not found, it may get worse over time, leading to more breathlessness, tiredness and swelling.
• Untreated heart strain can make some cancer treatments harder to continue safely.
• Rarely, serious heart weakness can lead to fluid build-up in the lungs or hospital admission, which is why early detection matters.

Long-term outlook

For most people, a MUGA scan is a straightforward test with a reassuring result. When it does pick up a problem, it often catches it early, when there is more that can be done. Many people with reduced heart pumping live full lives with the right monitoring and treatment. Knowing your numbers gives you and your healthcare team a clear starting point, and there is good support available along the way.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.