Heart scan coronary calcium scan - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Request an Appointment Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Heart scan coronary calcium scan
Print Overview
Heart scan coronary calcium scan Open pop-up dialog box Close Heart scan coronary calcium scan
Heart scan coronary calcium scan
A heart scan (coronary calcium scan) uses computerized tomography (CT) imaging to take pictures of the heart's arteries. It can detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Calcium deposits can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack. The image on the left shows where the heart is typically located in the body (A). The middle image shows the area of the coronary calcium scan image (B). The image on the right shows a coronary calcium scan (C). A heart scan, also known as a coronary calcium scan, is a specialized X-ray test that provides pictures of your heart that can help your doctor detect and measure calcium-containing plaque in your arteries. Plaque inside the arteries of your heart can grow and restrict blood flow to the muscles of your heart. Measuring calcified plaque with a heart scan may allow your doctor to identify possible coronary artery disease before you have signs and symptoms. Your doctor will use your test results to determine what you need - medication or lifestyle changes - to reduce your risk of a heart attack or other heart problems. Products & Services
Assortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Why it s done
Your doctor may order a heart scan to get a better understanding of your risk of heart disease or if your treatment plan is uncertain. A heart scan uses a specialized X-ray technology called multidetector row or multislice computerized tomography (CT). The scan creates multiple images that can show any plaque deposits in the blood vessels. A heart scan provides an early look at levels of plaque. Plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. It develops gradually over time, long before there are any signs or symptoms of disease. These deposits can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart. Plaque may also burst, triggering a blood clot that can cause a heart attack. When is a heart scan used
A heart scan may help guide treatment if you have a low to moderate risk of heart disease or if your heart disease risk isn't clear. Your doctor can tell you if you might benefit from having a heart scan based on your risk factors. A heart scan may also help motivate people at moderate risk to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans. More Information
Coronary artery disease Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Risks
Heart scans use X-ray technology, which exposes you to radiation. The amount of exposure is generally considered safe - about the same amount of radiation you're naturally exposed to in a year. Some medical facilities and walk-in centers advertise heart scans as an easy way to measure your risk of a heart attack. These scans don't require a referral from a doctor and might not be covered by your insurance. Also, there are less expensive blood tests and blood pressure monitoring that might offer similar information. How you prepare
When scheduling your heart scan appointment, ask these questions: Are there any special instructions? How early should I arrive? What paperwork or identification will I need? Food and medications
You may be asked to avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the test. Clothing and personal items
When you arrive for the procedure, you will be asked to remove clothing above the waist and to wear a medical gown. You will also need to remove jewelry around your neck or near your chest. What you can expect
During the procedure
Before the scan begins, the technician attaches sensors, called electrodes, to your chest. These connect to a device that records your heart activity during the exam and coordinates the timing of X-ray pictures between heartbeats, when the heart muscles are relaxed. During the heart scan, you lie on your back on a movable table, which slides into the tubelike CT scanner. Your head is outside the scanner the whole time. The exam room will likely be cool. You may be given medication either by pill or injection that slows your heart. This helps ensure clear images. If you are nervous or anxious, you may be given medication to help you remain calm. You'll be asked to lie still and hold your breath for a few seconds while the pictures are taken. The technician operates the scanner from a room next door, but can see and talk to you the entire time. The entire procedure should take about 10 to 15 minutes. After the procedure
Usually, no special precautions are needed after having a heart scan. You should be able to drive yourself home and continue your daily activities. Results
The result of the test is usually given as a number called an Agatston score. The score reflects the total area of calcium deposits and the density of the calcium. A score of zero means no calcium is seen in the heart. It suggests a low chance of developing a heart attack in the future. When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher your risk of heart disease. A score of 100 to 300 means moderate plaque deposits. It's associated with a relatively high risk of a heart attack or other heart disease over the next three to five years. A score greater than 300 is a sign of very high to severe disease and heart attack risk. You also may receive a percentile score, which indicates your amount of calcium compared to people of the same age and sex. The result of a heart scan shouldn't be used as a single predictor of your overall health and risk of heart disease. The information from a heart scan should be combined with other health information. Discussing results with your doctor
Your doctor will discuss the results of the heart scan with you. Depending on the outcome, one or more of the following strategies may be needed: No change to current treatment plan Different medication or dose of medication Changes to your diet and exercise routine New weight-loss goals Additional tests Follow-up appointments to monitor your health and treatment plan Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments July 23, 2021 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Coronary calcium scan. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-calcium-scan. Accessed March 20, 2021. Grundy SM, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625. Accessed March 22, 2021. Kramer CM, et al. Coronary artery calcium scoring: Image acquisition and clinical utilization. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 22, 2021. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. American College of Cardiology. https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/high-cholesterol/exams-and-tests/coronary-artery-calcium-scoring. Accessed March 22, 2021. Cardiac CT for calcium scoring. Radiologyinfo.org for patients. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=ct_calscoring. Accessed March 22, 2021. Schade DS, et al. A simplified approach to reducing cardiovascular risk. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2019; doi:10.1210/jc.2018-02509. Related
Coronary artery disease Heart scan coronary calcium scan Products & Services
Assortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2022-2023 by U S News & World Report
Learn more about this top honor Heart scan coronary calcium scan
AboutDoctors & Departments Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20166507 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Heart scan coronary calcium scan