Cardiac calcium scoring uses a special X-ray test called computed tomography (CT) to check for the buildup of calcium in plaque on the walls of the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries). This test is used to check for heart disease in an early stage and to determine how severe it is. Cardiac calcium scoring is also called coronary artery calcium scoring.

The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart. Normally, the coronary arteries do not contain calcium. Calcium in the coronary arteries is a sign of coronary artery disease (CAD).

A CT scan takes pictures of the heart in thin sections. The pictures are recorded in a computer and can be saved for more study or printed out as photographs.

Cardiac calcium scoring is not done very often because a physical examination and other tests often give enough information about your heart. But, if you are at medium risk for CAD based on your risk factors, cardiac calcium scoring may give your doctor more information to decide on your risk of CAD. If your doctor thinks that results from a cardiac calcium test could change your treatment for heart disease, your doctor may advise this test for you.

Cardiac calcium scoring is not advised for routine screening, because it can show that you may have plaque in your coronary arteries even if you do not have CAD. This is especially true if you have a low risk for CAD.

Why It Is Done

Cardiac calcium scoring is done to:

• Find out if you have coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Find out how severe your heart disease is.
• Sometimes predict if you will get symptoms of CAD.

How To Prepare

You do not need to do anything before you have this test.

You probably will not have this test if you have had a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), or angioplasty. Also, the test usually is not for women who are or might be pregnant.

Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

How It Is Done

A cardiac calcium scoring test is usually done by a radiology technologist. The pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist. Other doctors, such as a family medicine doctor, internist, cardiologist, or surgeon, may also review a cardiac calcium scoring test.

You will need to remove any jewelry that might be in the way of the X-ray picture. You may need to take off some of your clothes. If so, you will be given a gown to use during the test. For some CT scans, you may be able to wear your clothes. If so, wear loose clothes that do not have zippers or snaps.