Coronary Calcium Score

Learn about the health of your heart arteries with a coronary calcium scan at Wayne UNC Health Care. This simple, painless test checks the blood vessels for calcium buildup, which can slow blood flow and lead to heart problems. When you know the results, you can take steps to protect your health.

Do I Need a Cardiac Calcium Scan?

Ask your doctor about a heart calcium test if you meet at least three of these criteria:

• You’re a man older than 45
• You’re a woman older than 55
• You smoke or used to smoke
• You have diabetes
• You have a family history of heart disease
• You have high blood pressure
• You have high cholesterol
• You’re overweight

How to Prepare

To help your test go smoothly, follow the guidelines you receive when scheduling the exam. You may need to:

• Avoid certain foods or drinks for a short time before the exam
• Bring a list of your medications to the appointment
• Let us know if there’s a chance you’re pregnant

What to Expect

Cardiac scoring lasts just a few minutes. During the noninvasive exam, computed tomography (CT) technology scans the area around your heart to create pictures of the arteries. Shortly afterward, you can drive yourself home—no recovery time needed.

Results

A board-certified radiologist will review your images and send a report to your primary care provider. Expect a call from your doctor’s office to discuss the results and next steps.

Visit My UNC Chart to view your results in our secure, online patient portal.