Heart Disease Scan

One way to protect your heart health is with a calcium heart scan, also called a heart computed tomography (CT) scan. This scan can tell you and your doctor if you’re at risk for heart disease. That way, you can be proactive with treatment.

What’s a Calcium Heart Scan?

A calcium heart scan uses CT, which is special X-ray equipment, to take pictures of your heart. The pictures show any calcium buildup (or plaque) in your arteries. Often, the buildup suggests that you have coronary artery disease, even if you don’t have any symptoms. As plaque accumulates in the arteries, it can block blood flow to the heart.

With a calcium heart scan, you can find early signs of heart disease and take action with interventional cardiology or other methods before you have symptoms or a more severe heart and vascular condition. The scan lasts about 15 minutes and costs $50. The fee must be paid at the time of your appointment by cash, personal check or credit card.

Who Should Get Calcium Heart Scan?

A calcium scoring test can assist healthcare providers in making treatment decisions for people with borderline risk of heart disease. Calcium score testing results could help you if you're at least 30 years old and at increased risk for heart disease but don't have symptoms.

People at increased risk include those who:

• Have a family history of heart disease
• Use tobacco products now or in the past
• Have a history of diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Have a BMI (body mass index) higher than 25
• Have an inactive lifestyle

Who Should Not Get a Calcium Heart Scan?

• Pregnant people because a CT scan could harm a fetus
• People who have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), have stents, a pacemaker or have had open heart surgery.

Talk with your cardiologist about appropriate testing.

Preparation

• No nicotine after midnight
• No caffeine for six hours before the exam

Your Calcium Scan Results

After your calcium heart scan, a radiologist will review your exam and results will be available on the patient portal or from your primary care provider. Please contact your PCP if you have questions or concerns about your results.