What is a Heart CT Scan?
A heart CT scan is a noninvasive, painless test that evaluates the heart and surrounding blood vessels. It identifies any coronary artery blockages, heart disease or heart valve disease. Every heart CT scan also includes a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score which looks at how much calcium is in your coronary arteries. Calcium build-up or plaque, can lead to blockages that may increase the risk of a heart attack.
1 out of 5 Deaths are from Heart Disease
How do you Prepare for a Heart CT Scan?
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at the imaging center about 15 minutes before your scheduled scan time. This allows for any necessary preparations and ensures the scan starts on time.
Remove Metal Objects
Remove all metal objects from your neck and chest, including jewelry, glasses, dentures, and belts. Avoid clothing with metal buttons or clips, and empty your pockets of items like phones or coins. Metal can interfere with the scan images.
What Can I Expect?
During the Scan
You will lie comfortably on a special scanning table that moves you into the correct position for the scan. The technologist will clean three small areas of your chest and place sticky electrode patches there. These electrodes are connected to an electrocardiograph (EKG) monitor, which will chart your heart’s electrical activity throughout the scan.
Duration
The entire process takes only a few minutes!
Schedule your FREE initial heart scan courtesy of our Have a Heart Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to saving lives through proactive cardiac care, today!
Comprehensive Report
Deaths in 2023 were related to cardiovascular disease per the American Heart Association
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a heart CT scan?
Why would I need a heart CT scan?
A heart CT scan enables you to proactively evaluate the health of your heart and identify heart conditions such as coronary artery disease or heart defects. Early detection saves lives!
Will I get a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score?
- Absolutely. Our heart scan evaluates the accumulation of calcium (plaque buildup) in your coronary arteries, providing a distinct score. This buildup serves as an indicator of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by artery narrowing that poses a risk for heart attacks.
- Knowing your calcium score is important as it can help forecast the likelihood of a heart attack. Individuals with elevated calcium scores are at increased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the future. Nonetheless, while informative, the calcium score isn’t flawless in predicting risk. Other factors like age, gender, and family medical history also contribute significantly to overall risk assessment.
What if I have coronary artery stents?
Please remember to bring your stent card for the technologist. Since our scans are noninvasive, knowing the location of any prior stents is crucial for accurate scoring results. If you have multiple stents, you may not be eligible for this exam. Please contact us with your stent information to confirm your eligibility. Scoring accuracy may be limited because calcium and stents appear similar on a CT scan.
Early detection is our strongest defense against heart disease and we’ve mastered it.