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Cardiac Scoring
What is Cardiac Scoring?
Cardiac Scoring is a fast, painless, non-invasive CT scan of the coronary arteries to help determine a patient’s risk of coronary artery disease (or heart attack). Multiple images of the heart are taken in seconds and the amount of calcium or hard plaque within the coronary arteries is determined. One of our board certified radiologists then calculates the patient’s cardiac score.
What is the purpose of Cardiac Scoring?
More Americans die from heart disease than from all types of cancer combined. Cardiac Scoring can identify those people with plaque buildup in the coronary arteries to the heart who have not yet experienced symptoms. Cardiac tests, such as EKG’s and stress tests, will be positive when significant disease is present, but these tests will be negative until there is enough disease to create a significant buildup of plaque in the arteries.
How should I prepare for this procedure?
You should avoid caffeine intake for at least two hours prior to the exam.
Cardiac Scoring is not for everyone.
The test is most appropriate for men over 35 and women over 45 with no symptoms and any of the following:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- History of smoking
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- Obesity
- No known coronary disease
- No prior bypass
What should I expect from the procedure?
The entire test takes only a matter of minutes, with practically no preparation. Your results are usually reviewed the same day; a summary of your score is sent directly to you, and a more detailed report is then sent to your physician.
For more information on this topic, please visit www.Radiologyinfo.org.