Home›CT Coronary Calcium Scoring

Content created by

Written by

Dr. Shreya Gupta

BDS, MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Reviewed by

Dr. Ashish Ranjan

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

CT Coronary Calcium Scoring

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Inform your doctor and technician if you are pregnant or may be pregnant before the test.
You will have to remove your jewellery and avoid wearing clothes with metal objects like metal zips, studs etc. which might interfere with the image

Overview

What is CT Coronary Calcium Scoring?

Computed Tomography (CT) Coronary Calcium Scoring measures the amount of calcified plaque (calcium) inside the walls of the heart’s arteries. This information obtained can help evaluate whether a person is at increased risk of a heart attack.

Plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, and calcium. It develops gradually over time, long before there are any signs or symptoms of the disease. Plaque deposits can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart.

The result of the test is usually given in terms of score. A score of zero indicates no calcium is seen in the heart. A score of 100 to 300 is indicative of moderate plaque deposits. A score greater than 300 is considered very high and increased risk of a heart attack.

A heart scan can also motivate people at moderate risk of heart diseases to incorporate important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans.