Coronary Calcium Scan
Calcification in the coronary arteries is the earliest indicator of coronary artery disease. Our 128-slice, dual-source CT scanner performs a 10-minute test that produces a calcium score indicating a patient's level of calcium deposits. After taking into account a patient's age, gender and cardiac risk factors, a calcium score is a strong measure of the risk for coronary artery disease.
Research
Please see our SHAPE For Physicians page for research relating to Coronary Calcium Scanning.
Indications
Women over the age of 55 and men over the age of 45 should consider the coronary calcium scan, particularly if they have the following coronary artery disease risk factors:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol level (hypercholesteremia)
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High-stress lifestyle
- No regular excercise program
Results
If the patient has scheduled a consultation following the scan, the initial results will be explained to the patient by a member of our world-renowned team of imaging cardiologists. A final report will be sent to the designated doctor within 72 hours. These results will determine the patient's potential of having early coronary artery disease or significant coronary artery disease, as well as risk for cardiac events.