Cornoary Artery Calcium Scoring Test |  | 
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The cardiac calcium scoring test is a test using computed tomography (CT) to check for the buildup of calcium in plaque on the walls of the 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.
Before the test
- Continue to take your usual medications
- Avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the exam
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam
- You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure
- Remove metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work
- Women should inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant
During the test
- You will be placed on the CT exam table, usually lying flat on your back or possibly on your side or on your stomach
- Straps and pillows may be used to help you maintain the correct position and to hold still during the exam
- Electrodes (small metal discs) will be attached to your chest and to an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine that records the electrical activity of the heart
- The table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. Then, the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed
- You will be asked to hold their breath for 20 to 30 seconds while images are recorded
- The entire procedure including the actual CT scanning is usually completed within 10 minutes
After the test
Benefits vs. Risks of the CT for Calcium Scoring Test
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Risks |
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Convenient and noninvasive way of evaluating whether you may be at increased risk for a heart attack |
May sometimes be followed by other diagnostic tests for heart disease, which may not be necessary and might cause side effects |
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Minimal test time, painless, and does not require injection of contrast material |
Slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation |
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No residual radiation |
Risks associated with exposure for pregnant women |
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Usually no side effects |
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Calcium Score screenings are offered Mondays through Fridays at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.
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