Cardiac calcium scoring is recommended for individuals with certain risk factors, including:
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco use
This simple and painless test, performed using a computerized tomography (CT) scan, provides valuable insights into your heart health. During the procedure, you’ll comfortably lie on a table and enter the CT machine, which will take several images from different angles to assess your heart’s condition.
The scan specifically checks for the buildup of calcium, or plaque, in your arteries. Plaque gradually accumulates over time, restricting blood flow to the heart muscles and potentially leading to a heart attack. The higher the calcium score, the more plaque is detected, indicating a greater risk of heart disease.
By undergoing this test, you’ll gain a better understanding of your heart health and can work closely with our healthcare team to develop a personalized plan for prevention and management. Remember, early detection and intervention are key to maintaining a healthy heart.