Cardiac CT Calcium Score

Cardiac CT for calcium scoring — often called a heart scan — is a non-invasive way to screen for coronary artery disease. Unlike blood pressure or cholesterol tests, which assess risk, a cardiac CT directly detects or rules out calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply your heart muscle.

What the score means

When calcified plaque builds up, coronary arteries narrow and blood flow to the heart is impeded — setting the stage for a heart attack. Generally, the more calcified plaque present, the higher your calcium score and the greater the likelihood of significant coronary artery disease. Knowing your score turns an abstract risk into a concrete number you and your physician can act on.

Who benefits

Your physician may recommend a cardiac calcium score if you have any of these risk factors: overweight or obesity, diabetes, family history of heart disease or heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, or smoking.

Fast, easy, no contrast

The scan takes about 15 minutes, involves no contrast injection, and uses a very low radiation dose. Your calcium score and radiologist’s report are posted to the patient portal and sent to your physician — often the single most motivating data point in a patient’s prevention plan.