CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring Screening

Cardiac calcium scoring is a quick and non-invasive screening that uses computerized tomography (CT) to detect and measure calcified (hardened) plaque in your coronary arteries. If found, it can help reveal your risk of heart disease, often before other warning signs appear.

This scan is synced with your heartbeat to look for calcium deposits within the arteries and takes approximately 10 minutes. Once the screening is complete, patients will receive a “risk score” that identifies their level of risk for developing heart disease. A score of zero has been shown to indicate that you have a very low risk of having a heart attack within the next 10 years.

While this is an excellent prognostic tool, it is not absolute in predicting your risk for heart attack or stroke due to certain soft plaque (known as atherosclerosis) not being visible using this technology. Rather, it is another tool your health care provider can use to better determine how aggressive treatment should be or whether you need cholesterol reducing medications such as statins.

Once you know your score, you and your health care provider can discuss steps to take to lower your risk of developing heart disease.

Who should consider this screening?

Women and men ages 40 and 70 who have increased risk for heart disease base on family history but do not have symptoms
Those who currently use or have used tobacco products
Those with a history of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
Those who are overweight and or physically inactive

If you are between the ages of 40 and 70 with a family history of heart disease and are symptomatic, you will need to ask your health care provider for a CT cardiac calcium scoring diagnostic test.

How much does the screening cost?

CT cardiac calcium scoring screening is a self-pay screening that costs $150. We will not bill your insurance and payment is due prior to service.

A physician referral is required for the CT cardiac calcium scoring screening.