What If You Could Predict a Heart Attack Before It Happens? Take Charge of Your Heart Health in Just 15 Minutes.
A coronary calcium scan is a screening tool that uses a noninvasive CT scan that can detect early signs of heart disease — even if you feel perfectly fine. It takes just 15 minutes, but the information it gives could save your life.
What Is a Coronary Calcium Scan?
Coronary calcification is a highly sensitive marker for the presence of plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, even before symptoms develop. A coronary calcium scan or coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan is a noninvasive CT test that detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.
By measuring the amount of calcium buildup (plaque) in your coronary arteries, this screening gives you a calcium score — a powerful indicator of your risk for heart attack and other cardiovascular issues.
If your arteries are narrowing without symptoms, we’ll know. And you can take action now, not after a crisis.
Who Should Consider Having a Coronary Calcium Scan?
A coronary calcium scan may be recommended if you’re not sure how high your risk is for heart disease, or your doctor wants more information to guide treatment. A coronary calcium scan can help give a clearer picture of your heart health before any symptoms appear. Some additional reasons you may want to get a scan include:
- Age (men ages 45 or older; women ages 55 or older)
- Unexplained chest pain or palpitations
Is the Scan Covered by Insurance?
Because a coronary calcium scan is a screening examination, it is not covered by most insurance companies or Medicare. You will be responsible for all costs at the time of the exam. To schedule an exam, you’ll need an order from your health care provider.
Screening Locations
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call to make an appointment: (502) 485-4700
What to Expect
Prep: No needles, no preparation and no downtime
Procedure time: The CT scan lasts about 20 seconds
About the procedure: Three leads to a heart monitor are placed on the chest. The high-speed CT scan captures multiple images.
Diagnosis: The images are read by a radiologist for the presence of calcification in the coronary arteries.
Understanding Your Results
If calcium deposits are present, the computer will create a calcium score that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease. You and your referring provider will receive a full report outlining the results of the scan and follow-up recommendations.
What the Score Means:
| Score | Interpretation | Risk Level |
| 0 | No calcium | Low risk of heart attack |
| 1 to 99 | Mild calcium | Some risk – early disease |
| 100 to 399 | Moderate calcium | Moderate risk – likely plaque |
| 400 or higher | Extensive calcium | High risk – high plaque burden |
Who Should See a Cardiologist First?
If your doctor diagnosed you with heart disease or if you have any of the risk factors listed below, we recommend that you visit a cardiologist before scheduling a calcium scan:
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoker or used to smoke
- History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
- Overweight
- Sleep disorders
- Inactive lifestyle
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