Coronary Calcium Scoring

Heart Scan also known as Coronary Calcium Scoring

What is Coronary Calcium Scoring?

Coronary Calcium Scoring is a fast, easy, non-invasive CT exam used to detect the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries. The greater the amount of calcium, the greater your score and the greater your risk for a cardiac event.

What should I expect?

You will be asked to lie down on the CT exam table with your arms over your head. The technologist will place EKG leads on your upper chest to monitor your heart rate. You will then be asked to hold your breath while the CT machine takes a series of images of your heart. The test is painless and no contrast injections or needles are used.

How should I prepare?

You will be asked not to have any substance containing caffeine or nicotine for 4 hours prior to your exam with us. These things can increase your heart rate, and limit the exam.

How do I get the results?

Once the exam is complete the Radiologist will interpret your results and calculate your score. You will be given a preliminary report and a final report will be sent to your physician. If your score is moderate or higher the Radiologist will consult with you.

Patient Requirements

• Heart rate must be below 80bpm
• No heart stents
• No pacemaker
• No prior heart surgeries
• No prior heart disease in patient or history of heart attack

Your calcium score can help you make lifestyle changes needed for a long healthy life.

It’s a GOOD IDEA to get this test if you are over 40 and have any of these risk factors:

Heart disease in your family

Smoke
Overweight
Sedentary Lifestyle
High LDL Cholesterol
Low HDL Cholesterol
High blood Pressure
Diabetes.

Coronary Calcification

Calcium Scoring measures the amount of calcification in the arteries around the heart. These calcifications indicate coronary atherosclerosis or so called
“hardening of the arteries” which is the leading cause of death in America. The more calcification present, the higher the calcium score and the greater the
likelihood of significant heart disease. A high calcium score indicates a moderate to high risk of an adverse event due to heart disease in the next 5 years.