Get A Heart Scan

The heart CT scan is a painless low dose scan that can spot heart disease in its earliest stages. It involves the use of a computed tomography (CT) test that looks for calcium buildup in the lining of the arteries.

This test is used to find calcium buildup in heart arteries, which can increase your risk for coronary artery disease. It may be used as a tool to find hardening of the arteries in people who have a high chance of developing atherosclerosis.

If a CT scan does not show calcium buildup in the arteries, then the chances of having or developing heart disease is low. A high calcium score on a CT scan shows a higher chance of having cardiovascular problems within the next 2 to 5 years, especially when a person also has multiple risk factors.

It is recommended that patients interested in this scan be at least 40 years of age. If you are under the age of 40, our policy is to advise that you contact your physician for a referral for this scan.

If you are currently or have had any of the following, a physician referral will be required for this scan:

• Have or had a history of coronary artery disease diagnosed by a doctor
• Heart Attack
• Previous testing that showed heart artery blockage
• Are seeing a doctor for heart attack or heart blockage
• Have or had have symptoms that make you worry about your heart
• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Have or had a coronary palpitation test done within the last five years