The Test You Need to Prevent a Heart Attack
Calcium is a natural part of the body, but sometimes it appears in places where it shouldn’t.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, it can calcify over time and block the flow of blood, which leads to a heart attack.
A coronary calcium scan is a relatively new and accurate test used to determine the blockages of arteries in the heart. This knowledge can significantly reduce the risk of having a heart attack.
Coronary Calcium Scan
Calcium deposits usually begin to form years before any symptoms develop.
A coronary calcium scan uses computerized tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of your heart, potentially years before a standard exercise stress test could detect disease. The amount of calcified plaque is correlated with the patient’s additional risk factors to obtain the necessary information to chart a proactive treatment.
Calcium deposits do not correspond directly to the percentage of narrowing of the arteries. They do, however, correlate directly to the amount of coronary plaque and to the risk of future coronary disease.
Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease
What Your Calcium Score Means
- 0: No evidence of calcified coronary plaque
- 1-10: Minimal
- 11-100: Mild
- 101-300: Moderate
- 301 and higher: Severe
Benefits of a Coronary Calcium Scan
Prevention of Heart Attacks
The main benefit of a coronary calcium scan is that it can detect whether there is plaque build-up in your coronary arteries, which helps evaluate if you are at increased risk for heart attack.
Plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. It develops gradually over time, long before there are any signs or symptoms of disease. These deposits can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart.
Plaque may also burst, triggering a blood clot that can cause a myocardial infarction. Detecting plaque early is crucial for preventing a heart attack.
Does Not Require Injection of Contrast Material
Contrast material refers to any internally administered substance that helps show abnormal areas inside the body. It is injected into a vein or by mouth, and is typically used with x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or other imaging tests.
However, with coronary calcium scans, no contrast material is required. This makes the procedure simple and convenient, and also does not provide patients with any pain during the scan.
No Immediate Side Effects
Don’t become a statistic.
Invest now in your future health and be fit for the long term.
How A Coronary Calcium Scan Works
Preparing For the Scan
During the Procedure
Results of the Scan
=An absence of calcium is considered a "negative" exam. However, it does not exclude the presence of "soft" non-calcified plaque.
If calcium is present, the computer will create a calcium score that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease.
Reasons to Get a Coronary Calcium Scan
Provides a Better Understanding of Your Risk of Heart Disease
Helps You Develop a Better Treatment Plan
Convenient and Non-Invasive Procedure
Packages
InvestMed offers thorough health packages designed to meet the individual needs of our patients. Our packages include a battery of personalized medical screenings to proactively identify and address health issues before symptoms occur.
You can choose between a risk-specific package or a comprehensive package to analyze your health and wellbeing.
Our health packages include rapid access to diagnostic testing using state-of-the-art technology, searching for 500+ diseases in the body, including cancer and heart disease.
Each package includes a comprehensive 1 hour physical exam and 1 hour medical review of results with recommendations to achieve optimal health.
Package costs will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.
Risk-Specific Screening Packages
Cancer Screening Package
Mitigate your cancer risk with preventive screening.
Package starting at $3,999*
- MRI
- DNA testing – 84 genes for cancer
- Mole mapping
- Advanced blood work
- CT scan
- Virtual colonoscopy
Proactive testing can detect changes in your body that could become cancer.
*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.
Stroke Screening Package
Knowing your risk for stroke can save your life.
$5,999*
- MRA – Magnetic resonance angiography
- DNA testing – 83 genes for heart conditions
- Advanced blood work
- Carotid doppler ultrasound
- Echocardiogram
Detect your risk of stroke early, even before symptoms present themselves.
*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.
Heart Disease Screening Package
Early screenings are essential for heart disease prevention.
Package starting at $3,999*
- Coronary calcium score
- DNA testing – 83 genes for heart conditions
- Advanced blood work
- Exercise stress test
- Echocardiogram
- CT coronary angiography
Screening for cardiovascular risk factors before you develop heart disease, can help you prevent it.
*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.
Comprehensive Screening Packages
Comprehensive Screening Package
Get the right screening tests at the right time.
Packages from $5,999 - $11,999*
- Whole body MRI
- Coronary calcium score
- DEXA scans
- Microbiome gut testing
- Genetic testing+
- Heart health workup
- Cancer risk review
- Mole mapping
- Screen for all material risks
Prevention is key to longevity, whether or not you are presenting symptoms or risk factors.
*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.
Corporate Services
Please contact us for a custom corporate package. Specialized corporate rates available.
- Comprehensive, proactive health plans
- Customized screening tests
- Extensive medical risk assessments
- Preventive approach to healthcare
Proactively manage executive wellness.
FAQ
Who should get a coronary calcium scan?
People at increased risk for heart disease should consider getting a coronary calcium scan, including those with the following traits:
- Family history of heart disease
- Past or present smoker
- History of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- Overweight
- Inactive lifestyle
How long does a coronary calcium scan take?
How can I prepare for a coronary calcium scan?
What should I expect after the scan?
Can I still get a coronary calcium scan even if I am pregnant?
When is a coronary calcium scan used?
A coronary calcium scan may help guide treatment if you have a low to moderate risk of heart disease, or if your heart disease risk is not clear. Your doctor can tell you if you might benefit from having a heart scan based on your risk factors.
A coronary calcium scan may also help motivate people at moderate risk to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans.
Learn More
