A CT exam can be a simple, safe and quick way to “score” the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, a condition often called “hardening of the arteries.” As plaque builds up, arteries get narrower and the risk of a sudden heart attack can increase. Cardiac Assessment is performed in Vancouver with the LightSpeed® VCT system from GE Healthcare, the latest revolution in CT technology. A complete exam takes about 15 minutes.

What are the risk factors?

According to the American Heart Association, the following are major contributors and other risk factors for heart disease:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• Inactive lifestyle
• Being overweight
  

It is important to remember that this assessment is only intended as an estimate of your risk of heart disease or a heart attack. Talk to your doctor to find out if calcium scoring makes sense for you.

What should I expect?

A technologist will escort you into the scanning room, where you’ll see a table and a large donut-shaped device called a gantry. The technologist will have you lie on the padded table and make sure you’re comfortable. You’ll be asked to lie very still during the scan and hold your breath for a short time to minimize any body movement.

During the scan, you might hear a humming or buzzing noise, but you will not feel anything unusual. The technologist can monitor you during the entire exam through a window and will talk to you through an intercom.

The specific details of your upcoming exam will be explained to you fully by a technologist or your physician.

Are IVs or shots involved?

No. This procedure does not require injections, treadmills or other preparation such as fasting. However, it is a good idea to avoid caffeine 4 to 6 hours before your scheduled exam.

After the examination?

A physician will carefully analyze your images, review the findings with your physician, and provide a report. Your physician will then discuss the results with you.

What does my score mean?

Scores range from zero (low risk) to 3,000 and above (high risk). Scores indicate the extent of calcification in the heart’s coronary arteries, which indicates the presence of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

Determining the extent of cardiac risk requires your doctor to interpret your calcium score in combination with other tests and risk factors.