Does heart disease run in your family? Early detection is one of the best ways to take control of your health sooner rather than later.
What does a CT scan of the heart show? Our CT scanner can detect irregularities before symptoms occur. The scan of your heart will generate a score that can predict your risk of a heart attack. This will allow you to make the necessary changes to your eating habits and lifestyle to reduce your risks.
CT scans of the heart are computed tomography analyses of this essential organ of the human body. Such scans are performed to assess a patient’s heart for coronary artery disease. A calcium-score screening heart test (coronary calcium scan) uses computerized tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of your heart. A higher coronary calcium-score suggests you have a higher chance of significant narrowing in the coronary arteries and a higher risk of a future heart attack.
A heart scan scoring will tell us how minimal or severe plaque deposits are. These scores will be between 0-3000. The higher the score, the higher risk you have of a heart attack or another heart disease. The score will help to also determine the urgency to see your PCP for further evaluation.
The CT scan of heart conditions include,
If lipid plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, it must be identified as soon as possible to prevent blockages that impede blood from moving to the heart. The narrowing of the arteries due to the excess of plaque is referred to as atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the buildup of calcium, cholesterol, and/or fats will collect within arteries, generating such plaque.
By getting a CT heart scan, you will be able to identify potential problems before they become untreatable. A CT scan will help you to identify problems such as plaque breaking off or becoming worse and leading to clotting. This is the perfect recipe for a heart attack.
CT heart scans are in-depth, to the point that they identify the presence of other problems with the heart. In particular, this scan identifies tumors on or in the heart.
CT heart scans are similar to x-rays in that the patient is subjected to slight radiation. This radiation does not pose a significant health threat. However, women who could become pregnant or are currently pregnant should be aware that the scan will subject them to radiation that has the potential to affect a developing fetus.
We often don’t worry about things until it’s too late, but if you have congenital heart disease, a heart birth defect, a family history of heart disease, or any heart issues, it is in your best interest to have a CT heart scan test performed. Early detection is the key to reducing your risks.
Furthermore, if you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol we highly encourage you to have a CT heart scan performed as well. These health conditions put you at a greater risk of heart problems.
Suffering from health conditions or having a family history of heart disease isn’t the only reason to have a CT heart scan. If you are between the ages of 40 and 70, you are at an increased risk of heart disease, and you may have no symptoms at all. If you are a past or present smoker, your risk increases.
The process is simple; there’s no prep or fasting involved.
The technologist will have you lie down flat during the scan to generate a clear image. The heart screening test from start to finish will take less than five minutes. Unlike other types of cardiovascular testing, we do not use contrast, iodine, or beta-blockers. The only thing that we ask is that you remove all metals.
The technologist will place four electrodes on your chest. Once your heart has a good pace, the cardiovascular calcium scan process will start to determine your calcium score. The CT machine scans your body while the technologist communicates with you through an intercom. The images are then reviewed by our team of board-certified radiologists to determine if there are calcium deposits and, if so, to what extent.
Feel free to return to work or home after the scan is complete and await the heart CT scan results which should arrive to your mailing address within seven to ten business days.
The CT scan heart costs $640. The cost includes a scanning of the heart along with a coronary calcium score. You will be provided with a comprehensive report, including the radiologist’s review of the images.
At Craft Body Scan, we have locations in Tulsa and Raleigh with plans to open in Nashville and Tampa soon! We can perform the CT heart scan procedure with the utmost professionalism, efficiency, and social graces.
Our medical professionals are here to perform CT heart scans, setting the stage for you to live a healthier and longer life. We provide a $149 heart and lung scan special for everyone living and working in the greater Tulsa and Raleigh area. If you want to invest in your health, reach out to us today by phone at 918.879.6161 or online to schedule your CT heart scan.
