CT Calcium
Score Scan

What to know

A coronary calcium score is a special type of CT scan that measures the amount of calcium present inside the coronary arteries. The calcium score is used to predict your risk of heart attack or other heart problems before other signs and symptoms occur.

Does any of the following apply to you? If so please contact us as soon as possible.

You suspect or know that you may be pregnant
You have ever experienced a severe reaction to a previous injection of contrast media
You suffer from asthma or have kidney disease
You are a diabetic

Do you require an interpreter?
Is the patient non-english speaking? If so, we can arrange for an interpreter to be present during the appointment. Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make the relevant arrangements.

No caffeine, smoking or exercise for 4 hours prior to your appointment
You will need to change into a gown and remove all jewellery from your neck and chest
You will lie flat for around 10 minutes
While a CT Calcium score is very similar to a CT coronary angiogram, both tests require different preparations and scans. If your doctor has referred, you for a CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) please click here for more information.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) machine will be connected to your chest. This will include the placement of sticky dots to your chest, which then connect to the machine
You will lie on a procedural bed that moves in and out of a donut-shaped machine containing the x-ray tube and detectors
The technician will ask you to lie still and hold your breath for short periods of time throughout the scan
Even though your appointment will last around 10 minutes, the actual scanning time is much shorter
Specialist radiologists will review and report your CT scan and return results to your referring doctor
Inform the reception team of your follow-up appointment with the referring doctor
You will be able to return to your normal activities after the coronary calcium score is completed.