What is a heart scan? 

A heart scan, also referred to as coronary artery calcium scan (CAC), ultrafast computed tomography (UFCT), or electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), is a screening test which uses specialized x-rays (computed tomography, CT) to check for coronary calcium within the walls of the arteries of the heart. If coronary calcium is found, it is measured and a score, referred to as a calcium score is given.

Calcification can be an early sign of heart disease. 

Who should have a heart scan?

Talk to your healthcare provider regarding your risk for heart disease. A heart scan might provide useful information about your risk for a heart attack especially if you are within the intermediate risk group (10-20% chance of having a heart attack within the next ten years). Risk group is based on an assessment of your risk factors (see Framingham Risk Assessment calculator at www.midwestheart.com)

For persons with known heart disease or those at a 20% or higher risk of having a heart attack within the next ten years (smokers, persons with diabetes or peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, older than 65, high cholesterol), a heart scan will not provide additional information. Persons in this group should already be taking measures to prevent a heart attack.

How is the test done?

Since this is a screening test, an order from your healthcare provider is not necessary.  You can usually self-schedule the test. This test may, or may not, be covered by your insurance, you will need to check with your insurance carrier.

Prior to the test you will be given a gown to wear, electrodes will be applied to your chest to monitor your heart rate during the test, you will lie on a table which slides into a doughnut shaped machine (CT scanner), the scanner moves around your body and pictures are taken, you may be asked to hold your breath for 20-30 seconds.  The amount of scanning time is usually very short, but the entire test can take up to 30 minutes.  Check with the facility doing your test for specific information.

There is no need for needles or the injection of dyes with this screening test.

Patients who have a pacemaker can have this test.

Risks associated with the test:

Because this is an x-ray, there is exposure to radiation equivalent to that received in an abdominal x-ray.  Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about this risk. 

This test is not to be done if you are pregnant.

Having a positive heart scan does not necessarily mean you have heart disease (“false-positive” test). Similarly, a negative test does not mean that you are free of heart disease as soft plaque can develop in your arteries and become hardened (calcified) over time, thus not detected initially by a heart scan.

Results:

Based on age and gender, a calcium score (Agatston score) is reported.  Generally, the higher your score, the more calcium in your arteries.  You will want to discuss the test results with your healthcare provider for further evaluation of your risk for having a heart attack.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
http://www.cardiosmart.org/

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