Cardiac Calcium Scoring

The year-round rate for a CT calcium scoring test is $99 for patients without health insurance. If you have health insurance, we recommend checking with your provider to determine if the test is covered under your plan. This year-round rate applies only to the CT calcium scoring exam and is not tied to any other services or discounts.

You may be eligible for a CT calcium scoring if you are 40 to 75 years old and meet any of these criteria:

• Smoke or have a family history of heart disease
• Have high blood pressure
• Have diabetes
• Have high cholesterol or are obese
• No other signs of coronary artery disease (stent or coronary by-pass grafts)

Check with your provider to confirm if this test is right for you.

This test looks for the buildup of plaque in your coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart. Plaque is cholesterol that hardens along the walls of your arteries, making them narrow and restricting your blood flow.

A calcium scoring test is a CT scan, a type of noninvasive diagnostic imaging test that takes a picture of your heart. For this test, we will place several sticky electrode patches to your chest and attach those patches to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine. These patches will monitor your heart rate as we scan your heart three times.

This is not an MRI scan where you are placed inside a narrow machine tube.

Most CT scanners look like doughnuts. They are large machines with a short tunnel in the center. The tunnel is open and does not surround you like the tunnel of an MRI machine.

No, this screening does not require any contrast dye or an IV. It is a noninvasive test ​​— we will only attach a few sticky electrodes to your chest. These electrodes attach to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine that records your heart’s electrical activity.

The CT calcium scoring screening is a quick, 10-minute scan. During the test, the CT scanner goes back and forth to scan your body three times.

Your calcium score can increase over time. Your doctor may recommend repeating this screening every 3-5 years.

Your physician or medical professional can write a prescription for you if you meet any of the criteria and if they think the test is right for you. If you don’t have a primary care provider, call 786-596-2464 and we’ll connect you with one.

Most CT calcium score screening prescriptions are good for one year. However, your doctor may write a prescription for you that is valid for more or less time.

The CT calcium score test does not show blocked arteries or blood flow directly. Instead, it tells you if you have calcium deposits in your arteries and how much buildup exists. The outcome of this test may suggest that you have coronary artery disease, so you should discuss the results with your healthcare provider.

Baptist Health makes your results available to you as soon as possible. We will post your results to the Baptist Health PineApp for participating locations within 24-48 hours. Your results will also be sent to your referring healthcare provider within 48 hours. Your provider will discuss what your score means for your heart health and whether any follow-up, lifestyle changes, or medications are recommended.

• A prescription from a healthcare provider is required for this test.
• Wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers, snaps, or buttons over your chest if possible.
• You may be asked to remove jewelry or other metal objects before the scan.
• You can eat, drink, and take your usual medications unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
• Plan to arrive a few minutes early to complete any paperwork.

The value of a CT calcium score test depends on many factors. When deciding whether to recommend that you have the screening, your healthcare provider will consider your age, health status and other risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and family history of heart disease. They will use your health profile and level of risk to give you a personalized recommendation.

The CT calcium score measures the amount of hardened (calcium-containing) plaque you have in your heart’s arteries. Lower scores equal low plaque levels, and higher scores mean you have more plaque buildup. So, if you have a score of 0, you have no plaque buildup and low risk of cardiovascular events like a heart attack. As your score rises, your risk of future heart problems also increases. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your score with all your other relevant health information to determine if you need lifestyle changes or treatment.

Your CT calcium score is only one factor in your healthcare provider’s decision to recommend you start a cholesterol-lowering medication called a statin. They will review all your risk factors for heart disease and will likely suggest a statin for you if you have a moderate-to-high CT score (typically above 100).