Cardiac Calcium Scoring
Know Your Heart Attack Risk
A painless, safe and accurate way to measure the amount of calcium in your
coronary arteries, which can lead to blockage. No injections, treadmills
or fasting.
The procedure
There is no preparation for this test, although it is best if you don’t
have caffeine for at least four hours before the test. You will lie on
your back and your heart will be scanned in a CT machine in Great River
Medical Center’s Diagnostic Imaging Department. You will need to
hold your breath for 20 seconds.
Why is cardiac calcium scoring important?
Coronary artery disease claims more lives than lung, breast, colon and
prostate cancers combined. There often are no symptoms. Early diagnosis
is important to treating and possibly reversing the condition.
Cardiac calcium scoring is a more powerful predictor of coronary artery
disease than cholesterol screening. The information it provides can give
you the opportunity to seek treatment and make appropriate changes. Cardiac
calcium scoring is not intended to replace routine medical evaluations
by your health care provider.
What are risk factors for coronary artery disease and heart attack?
The most common risk factors for coronary artery disease and heart attack are:
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High-stress way of life
- Men over age 40; women over age 50
- Overweight by 20 percent or more
- Sedentary way of life
- Smoking
Make an appointment
To make an appointment, call your health care provider. A referral is required.
Cost and Payment
The cost of this screening test is $49, which includes the examination
and radiologist's report. Payment is required before the test is done.
Cash and credit cards are accepted.
The results
A radiologist will review test results and send them to the provider who
ordered the test.