Can You Get a Preventative Heart Scan?
Written by: ViaScan Editorial Team
Medical Advisor: John Duncan, Ph.D. Director of Operations at: VIASCAN
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this article does not create a doctor–patient relationship with ViaScan. Always consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, symptoms, or treatment. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States; according to the CDC, one person dies
every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease [1]. Given these numbers, it makes sense that more individuals participate in preventative cardiovascular screenings. Preventing cardiac disease before it turns fatal is essential.
A preventive heart scan is an imaging examination that can identify accumulations of calcium in artery walls. It is also frequently called a heart scan for blockage or a cardiac screening test. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of calcified plaque in the walls of the heart’s arteries. Any score above zero is evidence of coronary artery disease [2]. Eventually, the accumulation of plaque can restrict the blood vessels and raise the risk of cardiac arrest and stroke.
Typically referred to as a calcium test for heart or coronary calcium scan, the most popular kind of heart scan utilized for preventive screening. This scan produces finely detailed three-dimensional pictures of the cardiovascular system using computed tomography (CT). A score is assigned to the amount of calcium found, representing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and the quantity of buildup present.
This Valentine Take Care of Your Heart Before Giving It Away:
It’s a good idea to pay attention to your own heart health this February, as people get ready to share their hearts with loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Heart disease can develop for years without obvious symptoms, so the best gift you can give yourself is to understand your risk. Start with a checkup with your doctor to review your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, smoking and family history. If you are between 40 and 75, have no symptoms, and your heart risk is unclear, ask your doctor whether a coronary calcium scan could add useful information. Taking these steps now can help you keep sharing your love for many years to come.
What Does a Heart Scan Show?
Results from a heart scan reveal any calcium deposits that have accumulated in the coronary artery walls. The computerized images of calcified plaque show a dazzling white appearance. Greater deposits of calcium build up and an elevated calcium level indicates an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
In particular, a cardiac scan can show:
- Presence of calcified deposits: The scan will identify specific arteries exhibiting plaque accumulation. This aids in identifying the cardiac regions that might be hazardously constricted or obstructed.
- Plaque quantity: Radiologists can see the exact amount of calcification in the coronary arteries due to the complete illustrations. A higher risk is associated with more plaque.
- Calcium score: The amount of calcified plaque is converted into a number. A score of 0 means no
calcified plaque was seen; higher scores mean more calcified plaque and a higher risk of a future heart
attack. [3] - Years before symptoms appear, heart attack screening with a coronary calcium scan can assist in estimating the risk of a heart attack by identifying coronary plaque accumulation early.
This gives patients critical time to modify their lifestyle and use nutrition, exercise, and prescription to manage cholesterol.
What is a Calcium Test for the Heart?
A CT scan that finds and quantifies calcium deposits in the arteries supplying blood to the heart is a calcium test for the heart, also known as a coronary calcium scan. X-rays are used in this non-invasive diagnostic to look for arterial disease symptoms.
Calcified plaque can build up in the arteries for years before a heart attack happens., and calcified plaque builds up in the arteries. Even without symptoms, a calcium test can be used as a preventative measure to identify plaque accumulation and an elevated risk of heart disease. The Calcium score is determined by the quantity of coronary calcium seen on the imaging. The likelihood of a cardiac attack increases with increasing calcium score, which indicates the number of deposits.
A cardiac calcium test doesn’t require any prior planning or administering medication, and it can be completed in as little as ten to fifteen minutes. The scan uses a low dose of X-ray radiation and does not need an injection of contrast. [3][4]
What is Preventive Heart Screening?
Heart exams that identify early indicators of heart disease in individuals without cardiac symptoms are preventive heart screenings. Their goal is to detect heart-related problems and hazards years before a heart attack or stroke.
Preventive heart screening tests come in a variety of forms, including:
Coronary calcium scan: This type of CT imaging is used to find calcium deposits within the arteries that supply the heart and can identify the risk of coronary artery disease years before a cardiac incident.
Carotid ultrasound: Uses sound waves to look for plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck, which carry
blood to the brain
Cardiac CT angiography: This procedure looks for narrowing and blockages in the arteries that supply the heart using intravascular dye and CT imaging.
Preventive screening has the benefit of identifying cardiac disease in its early stages when therapy and lifestyle modifications can still significantly impact overall health. With the help of these tests, patients may be able to lower their chances before heart damage happens.
How Much Does a Heart Scan Cost?
Self-pay prices for a coronary calcium scan vary by facility.
Preventive cardiac scans are covered differently by health insurance companies. Insurance coverage for calcium scoring varies and many plans do not cover it; check with your insurer before booking. Before having a heart scan, determine whether these exams are part of your plan from your provider.
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How to Screen for Heart Disease?
Early detection of cardiac disease, before any overt symptoms appear, can literally save lives. The following are a few popular methods to look for undiagnosed cardiovascular problems:
- Coronary calcium scoring is most useful for adults aged 40 to 75 without symptoms whose 10-year
heart risk is borderline, intermediate or uncertain, to help decide on preventive treatment such as
statins. [3][2] - Ankle-brachial index: This test looks for peripheral artery disease by comparing the blood flow in the arms and ankles.
- Cardiac CT angiogram: This procedure looks for blockages and constriction in the coronary arteries using dye and CT imaging.
- Pressure evaluation: Checks for abnormal cardiac rhythms or blood circulation issues in the heart under pressure and during rest.
What is Included in a Cardiovascular Screening?
A thorough cardiovascular screening uses several procedures to look for disease-related indicators that may be hidden while examining the circulatory system and blood vessels. It might consist of:
- Medical history evaluation: a detailed analysis of risk variables such as cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, past medical history, and more.
- Assessing vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index (BMI), and other essential variables.
- A CT scan called a coronary calcium scan is used to find potentially harmful accumulations of calcium in the heart’s artery walls.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test looks for abnormalities by tracking the electrical activity and cardiac rhythm.
By providing a multifaceted update on cardiovascular health, screening makes it possible to identify and treat problems before they cause harm.
Why Get a Heart Scan?
Consideration should be given to preventative cardiac screening using a heart scan for several reasons.
- Your family history, elevated cholesterol levels, overweight or obese status, and other indicators of risk call for further investigation.
- If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations or other possible heart symptoms, see a doctor
promptly, or call 911 in an emergency. A calcium score is meant for people without symptoms. [4] - People who already have known coronary artery disease generally should not have a calcium scan,
because it would not change their care. [5] - You are middle-aged or above – People in their forties and fifties typically begin to accumulate plaque.
- A score of zero is reassuring and is linked with low short-term risk, but it does not rule out non-calcified
(“soft”) plaque, especially in people who smoke or have diabetes. [2]
A calcium scan can show calcified plaque before it narrows an artery enough to cause symptoms. It does not show whether an artery is blocked. [3] Knowing this in advance allows you to take the necessary precautions before heart damage.
Conclusion
For the right person, a coronary calcium scan adds useful information to a doctor’s risk assessment and can help guide decisions about lifestyle changes and medication. These scans are not regularly done, but if you have cardiac risk factors, they serve as an essential early warning system. The scan uses a small amount of radiation and is not recommended for everyone, so ask your doctor whether it makes sense for you. [3] Preventive cardiovascular screening allows you to take measures with pharmaceuticals and dietary modifications by identifying plaque development while it’s still curable. To assist protect your heart health in the long run, ask your doctor if heart scans are necessary.
Sources
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Heart Disease Facts.
https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data/research/facts-stats/index.html
[2] Yale Medicine — Is a Coronary Artery Calcium Scan Right for You?
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/is-a-coronary-artery-calcium-scan-right-for-you
[3] CardioSmart (American College of Cardiology) — Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring.
https://cardiosmart.org/cac
[4] Dartmouth Health — Should You Get a Calcium Score?
https://www.dartmouth-health.org/articles/should-you-get-calcium-score
[5] Harvard Health Publishing — Do You Need a Calcium Scan?
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/do-you-need-a-calcium-scan
Director of Operations at : VIASCAN
John Duncan, Ph.D., has been a leading expert in preventive cardiology for over 20 years. He has dedicated his career to helping thousands of people take control of their health before problems arise.
After working at the Cooper Institute for 15 years, he founded ViaScan, where he has helped tens of thousands of patients gain insight into their health through early detection of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
