How a quick calcium scan can reveal heart disease risk

As plaque ages, it calcifies. A heart scan is a computed tomography (CT) test that uses X-ray technology to produce images of the inside of the body and provide a calcium score.

About half of all middle-aged adults have a calcium score of zero, which means the rest have an increased risk of heart disease. If you’d be willing to make changes based on your score, then a HeartScan may be right for you.

Who should consider a calcium heart scan? 

Anyone older than 35, with one or more of these risk factors for heart disease: 

• family history of heart disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• smoking

What can I expect at a heart scan appointment?

You’ll lie still on your back on a movable table and follow breathing instructions, including holding your breath for a few seconds. The amount of radiation emitted by this CT scan is very low. It’s about the same as a mammogram or a chest X-ray. The whole examination will take between 15-30 minutes. Your doctor may get your results the same day as the test, but it can take longer.

See what to expect during a calcium heart scan in this 1-minute video:

How much does a calcium heart scan cost?

The test costs $100. Typically, it is not covered by insurance but is reimbursable through a flexible health spending account or a health savings account.

What does the calcium score mean? 

The calcium scan results are given as a number, called the Agatston score, that considers the total area and density of calcium deposits. The risk of coronary artery disease increases as your calcium score goes up.

• A score of zero shows you have a low risk of having heart disease or a heart attack in the next few years.
• A score above 100 suggests a moderately high risk of heart disease.

Depending on your score, your doctor may recommend exercise, diet changes or new medications, like a cholesterol-lowering statin.