Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and many people have no symptoms until a serious event occurs. A heart calcium score — also called a coronary calcium score test — is a fast, non-invasive CT scan that detects early signs of coronary artery disease before symptoms appear.
What the test measures
The scan measures the amount of calcified plaque inside the coronary arteries. Plaque buildup often contains calcium, which appears clearly on CT and can be assigned a numerical value — your calcium score. The higher the score, the greater the likelihood that coronary artery disease is present.
Why it matters
Unlike stress tests or cholesterol panels that estimate risk, the calcium score shows whether disease is actually present — turning abstract risk into a concrete, actionable number. Combined with your physician’s guidance, it’s often the single most motivating data point in a prevention plan.
Fast and painless
The scan takes about 15 minutes, requires no contrast, and uses a very low radiation dose. RMI performs cardiac calcium scoring at our Flint (Lennon Road), Novi, Royal Oak and Southgate offices.