A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, comprising a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, and a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic interference conducted by a patient into an imaging region of the MR imaging system. The sensor may comprise at least one electrical conductor configured for electrically coupling to the patient. The MR imaging system may further comprise a noise reduction system configured to receive the electromagnetic interference from the sensor and to suppress electromagnetic interference in detected MR signals received by the MR imaging system based on the electromagnetic interference detected by the sensor.