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MRA

MRA Scan

With an MRA scan, you can clearly visualise your blood vessels and detect vascular issues that may not show up on standard imaging. We deliver precise imaging, expert support, and complete reassurance at every stage.

No GP referral needed
Convenient locations nationwide
Transparent pricing
No waiting lists

Not sure what you need?

Book a consultation with our expert clinicians for help. They're here to guide you through which scan to choose.

Why Would Someone Need an MRA Scan?

There are several reasons why a healthcare provider might order an MRA scan. If you experience symptoms that lead your doctor to suspect issues with your blood vessels, an MRA scan can help detect the location, nature, and severity of the problem.

Other reasons include to plan surgical procedures, to assess your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases and to monitor the progression of a blood vessel condition and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.

What Can an MRA Diagnose?

An MRA scan can be used to detect, evaluate, assess the severity of, and guide stent placement or surgical intervention for a wide range of vascular conditions, including:

Atherosclerotic Disease

A buildup of a sticky substance called plaque inside the arteries, causing them to harden and/or constrict, potentially leading to a stroke.

Aneurysm

In the brain, legs, chest, abdomen, or other areas (this happens when an artery or vein with a weakened wall develops an abnormally large bulge, which can burst and cause internal bleeding).

Arteriovenous Malformations

An abnormal tangle of blood vessels that cause problematic connections between arteries and veins.

Blood Clots

Blockage of a blood vessel by a clot, which can restrict blood flow and cause organ damage.

Congenital Blood Vessel Abnormalities

Structural issues in blood vessels that exist from birth.

Peripheral Artery Disease

A plaque disease that narrows the arteries leading to the arms and legs, reducing blood flow and causing symptoms like numbness, erectile dysfunction, hair loss on the legs and feet, and leg pain while walking.

Stenosis

Reduced vessel diameter, which can limit blood flow and cause organ or limb ischemia.

Dissections

A tear in the inner layer of an artery wall that can reduce or block blood flow and may cause life-threatening complications.

How an MRA Scan Works

An MRA scan takes place inside an MRI scanner and uses a strong magnetic field and radio frequency waves to create detailed images of the blood vessels and how freely blood flows through them.

During an MRA scan, the magnets are switched on and off, causing tiny atoms in the body, called hydrogen atoms, to be temporarily disrupted. You won’t feel anything during the scan, but as the hydrogen atoms are disrupted, they scatter and then realign. This causes a release of energy, and different types of tissue create different levels of energy.

The energy released is captured and turned into an image by MRA computers. These images are then used to identify blood vessels that are being affected by plaque buildup, narrowing and disease.

Such MRI exams are used to diagnose conditions such as congenital heart disease (heart disease that someone is born with), strokes, cardiovascular disease and problems affecting the small vessels carrying blood to the lower limbs.

Types of MRA Scan

These are the different types of MRA scan that are avialible.

Coronary MR Angiogram

This MRA scan type is used to examine the blood vessels that supply and transport blood out of the heart. It detects and provides valuable information about conditions such as blockages or narrowing of arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. It is also helpful for determining the best sites to place a pacemaker or other implantable medical devices in patients with heart failure.

Renal MR Angiogram

This scan targets the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. A renal angiogram can be used to assess conditions like renal artery stenosis, where the arteries become narrowed, leading to high blood pressure and kidney damage.

Aortic MR Angiogram

This scan examines the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Pulmonary MR Angiogram

This scan type visualises the blood vessels in the lungs. It is particularly useful for diagnosing pulmonary embolism—a condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Equipment Used

An MRA exam takes place inside an MRI scanner. MRI machines are large, round, doughnut-shaped medical machines with a table that slides in and out. Patients lie on this table and are asked to remain still as they’re slowly moved into the MRI scanner and out again. Computers attached to the scanning machine are used to turn the data collected by the MRI scanner into clear images that can then be interpreted by a medical professional called a radiologist.

Benefits

MRA scans are quick, painless and safe, and unlike CT scans and x-rays, MRA and MRI scans don’t require the use of ionising radiation and therefore don't carry the same risks of radiation exposure.

Are There Any Limitations of an MRA?

Sometimes, an MRA exam cannot detect narrowing or identify abnormalities in the very small vessels carrying blood to various body parts.

In other cases, they may not be able to detect calcium deposits in the blood vessels, which can be an indicator of the plaque buildup that can lead to coronary artery disease.

If your medical team thinks it’s necessary, you may be referred for another test called a CT angiogram, to check the small vessels for narrowing and calcium deposits, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.

How to Prepare for an MRA

An MRA scan requires very little preparation. Your medical team will let you know if there's anything specific you need to do to prepare.

Metal objects aren’t safe inside an MRI scanner, so inform your doctor if you have any metal implants, prostheses, wires, stents or meshes.

If you’ve had any recent surgeries, let your medical team know. Also, let them know if you’re pregnant or you think you might be, or if you have kidney disease or any type of impaired kidney function.

MRA Costs

You can book an MRA scan with us, Scan.com is the UK’s largest imaging network, allowing you to make the most convenient choices.

At no additional cost, we also deliver a complete care package, including pre- and post-scan clinician consultations with our experienced clinician team, done-for-you scan referral, and digital access to your report and images within days of your scan, so you can feel supported every step of the way from finding the right scan and preparing for it to understanding your results.

MR Angiogram

Starting from

£300

Quick and easy referral process, with support from a dedicated expert clinician
Your MRA scan, at your choice of location
Digital access to your radiologist's report, and the option to request copies of your images as required
If there are any next steps or adverse findings, our expert clinicians can provide a post-scan phone consultation to explain your scan results

The Procedure Explained: What to Expect

Safety Screening for Metal or Implants - Metal objects cannot be taken into an MRI scanner.
Change into a Gown (if required) - You’ll be asked to undress and change into a medical gown.
Placement of IV Line (if contrast is used) - A small intravenous line will be inserted into a vein, usually in your arm, if you’re having a contrast dye MRA scan.
Positioning on the MRI Table - Your medical team will help you into position, usually lying on your back with your legs out straight, on the MRI table.
Use of Earplugs or Headphones - Earplugs or headphones will be provided to help reduce the loud tapping sound of the MRI scanner.
Initial Scans Without Contrast (if applicable) - The MRI table will then begin to slowly move into the machine, and images will be taken.
Injection of Contrast Dye (if required) - If you’re having a contrast dye, the contrast material will be injected into your arm.
Additional Scans With Contrast - The scanning process will then be repeated.
Monitoring for Any Immediate Reactions - Your medical team will monitor you for any signs of an allergic reaction to the contrast media.
Changing Back to Clothes - You’ll be helped up from the MRI table, and you’ll be able to get dressed.
Post-Scan Instructions and Discharge - If you’ve had a contrast dye, you’ll be asked to remain in the clinic for half an hour to monitor for signs of an allergic reaction. You’ll also be given details of when you can expect your results.

Getting the Results

Results usually take a few days, and your team will call you to arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss your results and any further recommended tests or treatments.

Why Use Scan.com?

Booking an MRA scan through scan.com is simple and fast. Choose from our UK-wide network of trusted clinics and scanning professionals at a time that suits you. There’s no GP referral letter required and no hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about booking a scan with us, visit our FAQ guide.

Can't see an answer to your question? Our friendly patient care team are happy to help.

More FAQs

How Long Does an MRA Scan Take?

The exact duration of an MRA scan can vary depending on the area (e.g., brain, chest or heart) being examined and whether a contrast agent is used. In general, most MRA scans take between 20 to 60 minutes.

When Is Contrast Used in an MRA?

A contrast material or dye, injected into a blood vessel using a small intravenous injection, is used to produce clear images of the peripheral arteries of the upper and lower limbs and the small arteries inside the organs. Using a contrast media during an MRA test helps to further highlight these small vessels, allowing for a better diagnosis.

What is the Difference Between an MRI and MRA?

The key difference between an MRI and an MRA scan lies in what they’re designed to examine. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is used to visualise organs, soft tissues, and bones, providing a clear view of the body’s internal structures. It’s commonly used, from checking for torn ligaments to examining the brain. An MRA, on the other hand, offers a detailed, targeted look at the vascular system. Like standard MRI scans, it can often use a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of blood vessels, making it easier to identify issues like blockages, aneurysms, or blood clots. Ultimately, an MRA is a specialised type of MRI that uses the same technology—magnetic fields and radio waves—and the same machine but is specifically focused on creating images of blood vessels. In some cases, an MRI and MRA may be performed together to provide a comprehensive view of both the blood vessels and the surrounding tissues.

What Is an MRA of the Brain?

An MRA exam of the brain is a type of MRI scan that’s used to produce clear images of the major blood vessels of the brain. Doctors use MRA scans to identify abnormalities such as aneurysms and diseased blood vessels in the brain.

How Is MRA Used to Assess Heart Failure?

An MRA scan can detect narrowing and blockages of both the small arteries and the major blood vessels of the heart that can indicate heart failure.