Cardiac MRIs are now available at Mater Dei Hospital, the parliamentary secretariat for health said today, International Heart Day.

In a statement, the government said that patients needing cardiac MRIs had to travel to Monza for the intervention. As from today, this can be done in Malta, parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said.

Cardiac MRIs give a much clearer picture of what is taking place in the heart that ultrasound, and is able to pick up diseases that affect the heart too. In the past, laboratory tests were needed to determine a diagnosis; a cardiac MRI can achieve the same goal.

In its statement, the government said that heart problems are related to lifestyle – smoking, too much food and lack of exercise contribute to heart issues, and the government is on a campaign to encourage people to live better.

During the scholastic year, all students in Malta will be weighed for the body mass index that will enable the authorities to analyse what needs to be done to focus on such issues.