Is a Calcium Scan Right for You?
If youre uncertain about whether to undergo a calcium scan, begin by assessing your risk for heart disease.
And ask your healthcare provider to help you.
Cholesterol or blood pressure medication also might be options.
A coronary calcium scan can give you an early heads-up that you are at risk.
How the Test Is Performed
Having a calcium scan is very much like having an X-ray.
You will be asked to hold your breath for a minute or so to obtain the clearest image possible.
The amount of calcium is then translated into a score.
(In this case, more tests will probably be in order.)
This information can be very useful in deciding how aggressive to be in trying to reduce risk factors.
The value of an accurate diagnosis may outweigh the small risk associated with radiation exposure.
Not all health plans cover it, and the fees can vary.
The scan results in a score ranging from 0 to more than 400.
In general, the higher the number, the greater the risk for heart disease.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.The heart test you may needbut likely havent heard of.
