Precision Cardiac Imaging for Early Detection and Advanced Diagnosis

At Southwest Virginia Cardiology, we combine advanced technology with compassionate care to deliver the most accurate cardiac assessments available. Our Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging provides detailed insight into your heart’s blood flow and function — helping our physicians diagnose coronary artery disease, evaluate heart muscle health, and guide personalized treatment with precision.

Located in Salem, Virginia, our practice is proud to offer this state-of-the-art imaging service to patients across Southwest Virginia.

What Is Cardiac PET Imaging?

A cardiac PET scan is a highly sophisticated imaging test that uses a safe, radioactive tracer and specialized camera to evaluate how well your heart is working. Unlike traditional imaging, PET provides three-dimensional, high-resolution images that show blood flow, cell activity, and the metabolism of your heart muscle in real time.

This level of detail helps our cardiologists:

• Detect coronary artery disease (CAD) earlier and more accurately
• Identify areas of reduced blood flow or damaged heart tissue
• Evaluate viability of heart muscle after a heart attack
• Guide treatment decisions and assess response to therapy

Because PET scans measure both function and perfusion, they are considered one of the most accurate non-invasive tools for diagnosing and managing complex cardiac conditions.

Why PET Imaging Matters

For patients with symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath, or for those with multiple cardiac risk factors, PET imaging provides unmatched clarity in identifying underlying problems.

Compared to traditional stress tests or SPECT scans, PET offers superior image quality, faster results, and lower radiation exposure.

It’s particularly valuable for patients who:

• Have known or suspected coronary artery disease
• Have equivocal results from previous stress tests
• Are being evaluated after stent placement or bypass surgery
• Have obesity or lung disease, where other imaging may be less accurate

With PET, our team can make faster, more informed decisions — so you get the right care, right away.