Heart CT Scan
A heart scan, also known as a coronary calcium scan, is a specialized X-ray test that provides images of your heart. These images can help your doctor to detect and measure plaque in your arteries that contains calcium.
Plaque inside the arteries of your heart can grow and restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. Measuring calcified plaque with a heart scan can allow your doctor to identify possible coronary artery disease before you have signs and symptoms of the disease.
Doctors at the Pulse Cardiology Center will use the results of the MSCT test to determine if you need medication or lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart attack or other heart problems.
Plaque inside the arteries of your heart can grow and restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. Measuring calcified plaque with a heart scan can allow your doctor to identify possible coronary artery disease before you have signs and symptoms of the disease.
Doctors at the Pulse Cardiology Center will use the results of the MSCT test to determine if you need medication or lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart attack or other heart problems.
Why is a heart scan done?
Your doctor may require a heart scan to better understand your risk of heart disease or if your treatment plan is not working.
Heart scanning uses specialized X-ray technology called multi-sector serial or multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). It creates multiple images of deposits in blood vessels and this type of diagnosis provides early insight into plaque levels.
Plaque consists of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. They develop gradually over time, long before there are any signs or symptoms of the disease. These deposits can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Plaque can also rupture, triggering a blood clot that can cause a heart attack.
When is a heart CT scan performed?
A heart scan can help in your treatment if you have a low to moderate risk of heart disease or if the risk of heart disease is unclear. Your doctor may explain if it would be advisable to do a heart scan based on your risk factors.
A heart scan can also help motivate people at moderate risk to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans.
Risks of heart CT scanning
Heart scanning uses X-ray technology that requires exposure to radiation. The amount of exposure is generally considered safe – about the same amount of radiation you are naturally exposed to in one year.
Heart CT results (coronary calcium scan)
The test result is usually given as a number called the Agatston score. The result reflects the total area of calcium deposits and the density of calcium.
- A score of zero means no calcium is seen in the heart. It suggests a small chance of developing a heart attack in the future.
- When calcium is present, higher score means the higher risk of heart disease.
- A score of 100 to 300 means moderate plaque deposits. It is associated with a relatively high risk of heart or other disease over the next three to five years.
- A score higher than 300 is a sign of very high to severe risk and risk of heart attack.
You can also get a percentile score, which shows your amount of calcium compared to people of the same age and gender.