Skip to site content

ER WAIT

i
0:00

See how our ER wait times are calculated.

Cardiac Scoring

Call 615.328.6500

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring

Coronary artery calcium scoring is one of the most advanced methods available to detect heart disease in its earliest stages. And, there’s no better time than now to prevent heart disease, because statistics like these continue to remind us of its tragic effects:

  • Every 29 seconds an American suffers a heart attack
  • Every minute an American dies from a heart attack
  • 50 percent of men and 63 percent of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms
  • About 80 percent of the people under 65 who died of heart disease did so during their first attack

Next Steps

Schedule an Appointment

Call 615-328-6500

Coronary Artery Disease

Heart disease is the common name for “coronary artery disease” (CAD). This condition is the end result of a progressive hardening of the arteries, a process in which arteries become clogged and prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart. Over time, deposits of cholesterol and other substances build up along vessel walls and become calcified. Blood flow slows until a blood clot forms, completely sealing off the passage of blood to the heart. At that point, a heart attack occurs.

Know Your Risk Factors

The following factors may increase your risk for heart disease and, ultimately, a heart attack:

  • You are male and over 45 years old
  • You are female and over 55 years old, or you have passed menopause or had your ovaries removed and are not taking estrogen
  • Your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55 or your mother or sister had one before the age of 65
  • You smoke or you live/work with someone who smokes daily
  • You have cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher
  • You’ve been told your blood pressure is high
  • You do not exercise on a regular basis for at least 30 minutes
  • You’re 20 pounds or more overweight
  • You have diabetes or you need medicine to control your blood sugar

If two or more of the above factors apply, you may be at risk for heart disease, and CACS may be a good next step to assess your risk more completely.

Calcification in the coronary arteries is the earliest indicator of heart disease. CACS uses noninvasive, high-speed computerized tomography (CT) to scan your heart and detect calcium deposits along the walls of arteries. The test then produces a calcium score that identifies your level of deposits. Taking into account other factors such as age, family history and cholesterol level, your doctor uses that score to measure your potential for heart disease.

CT Images of a healthy artery (left) and a clogged artery (right)

     

Heart CT for Calcium Scoring

 

Calcium scoring, also called a heart CT scan, is a painless, non-invasive way of obtaining information about your coronary arteries. This screening provides pictures of your heart's arteries and identifies if calcium deposits are present – which helps determine if you have a higher risk of having a heart attack or other potential symptoms of heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.1 Cardiac Calcium Scoring is a safe, painless test that can detect potential heart problems in advance. The results allow your doctor to calculate your risk of heart attack and detect early blockage and plaque build-up. Join us on a path to better wellness.

Who Should Have a Heart CT?

A heart CT for calcium scoring should be considered if you:

  • Are at least 35 years old
  • Are not currently being treated for heart disease
  • Do not have a pacemaker
  • Have at least two of these risk factors:
    • High cholesterol levels
    • High blood pressure
    • Family history of heart disease
    • Diabetes
    • History of cigarette smoking
    • Obesity
    • Physical inactivity

References: 
1 - Murphy SL, Xu J, Kochanek KD, Arias E. Mortality in the United States, 2017. NCHS data brief, no 328. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2018.

Your Calcium Scoring Exam

  • You will be lying comfortably on the exam table for about five minutes, though the scan takes only seconds
  • There is no need to change your clothes, but all jewelry and metal items must be removed
  • Electrocardiogram leads will be placed on your chest to synchronize the scan with your heart beats
  • You will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the scan
  • There is no special preparation for the exam; no fasting, no injections, no ceasing of medications

Gaining Peace of Mind, Just in Time

The results of your exam represent peace of mind, since early detection is key to prevention. Considering over half the people who died suddenly of heart disease had no symptoms, what you know today can help you live a healthier tomorrow.

The Next Step

Should your score indicate a risk for heart disease, your doctor can recommend drug therapies or lifestyle modifications to help slow the progression of the disease.