CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring

What is CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring?
CT cardiac calcium scoring is a non-invasive screening low-dose CT Scan that detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries may indicate the development or presence of coronary artery disease.

CT cardiac calcium scoring is done to provide additional clinical information to your health care provider for diagnosing the early development of coronary artery disease. This screening test may be recommended by your health care provider if you are a male over the age of 45 or a female over the age of 55 and have risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), but have no clinical symptoms such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath. The major risk factors for CAD are:

• Abnormally high blood cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Overweight or obese
• Physical inactivity
• Family history of heart disease

If you think you could benefit from a CT Cardiac Calcium Scoring Screening, please contact your health care provider and ask for a referral. Call 936-568-8563 for more information.

No special preparation is necessary in advance for a CT cardiac calcium scoring test. You may continue to take your usual medications, but avoid caffeine and smoking four hours before having test. This study is performed Monday-Friday from 8am - 5pm and does not require scheduling, just walk in and present the orders from your health care provider. While the scanning only takes a few minutes to complete, you should allow 30 minutes for the entire procedure.

Things to know:
Your test will be interpreted by a Radiologist and results sent to your referring health care provider.