What is it?
Cardiac CT is an advanced imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the heart and coronary arteries. Coronary calcium scoring is a specialized CT scan that measures the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, which reflects plaque buildup.
Why it’s Done / Who Needs it
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes
- Intermediate risk patients who want better risk assessment
- Patients with chest pain but inconclusive stress test results
What to Expect
- The scan is performed in a CT scanner
- No needles or contrast required for calcium scoring
- The test takes only a few minutes and is non-invasive
- Results are given as a calcium score that reflects heart disease risk
Benefits
- Identifies early coronary artery disease before symptoms develop
- Refines risk assessment and guides preventive treatment
- Non-invasive, quick, and painless
- Helps avoid unnecessary procedures in low-risk patients
Risks
- Exposure to a small amount of radiation
- Incidental findings may require further evaluation
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in heart disease prevention or need advanced cardiac imaging, schedule an appointment with Flow Heart & Vascular today.
