Your Guide to Calcium Scoring - Woodlands North Houston Heart Center

What exactly is calcium scoring?

CT Calcium Scoring is the best noninvasive test for determining coronary artery calcium content.

The procedure begins with a fast, convenient, painless computed tomography (CT) exam. CT, commonly known as CAT scanning, is the process of making an X-ray image of a very small cross section of your body. During CT scanning, an X-ray beam passes through your body and is recorded by electronic detectors. These detectors then send the information to a computer where it is translated into an image.

The exam itself is simple. You will lie on the CT table as it slowly moves into the scanner. Then, a picture of your beating heart will be taken while you hold your breath for approximately 20 seconds. There will be no injections, treadmills, fasting or blood work needed.

Information acquired during your CT exam will then be processed with our calcium scoring software by our board certified cardiologists, evaluating and quantifying the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries. All results from your test will be given to you, and sent to your physician.

Please note that screening CT examinations are not intended to take the place of your usual routine doctor's evaluations, but rather to give you and your doctor additional information on which to base lifestyle changes and treatment decisions.

We hope many of your questions about CT Calcium Scoring are answered here. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office or consult with your physician.






	What exactly is calcium scoring? CT Calcium Scoring is the best noninvasive test for determining coronary artery calcium content. The procedure begins with a fast, convenient, painless computed tomography (CT) exam. CT, commonly known as CAT scanning, is the process of making an X-ray image of a very small cross section of your body. During CT scanning, an X-ray beam passes through your body and is recorded by electronic detectors. These detectors then send the information to a computer where it is translated into an image. The exam itself is simple. You will lie on the CT table as it slowly moves into the scanner. Then, a picture of your beating heart will be taken while you hold your breath for approximately 20 seconds. There will be no injections, treadmills, fasting or blood work needed. Information acquired during your CT exam will then be processed with our calcium scoring software by our board certified cardiologists, evaluating and quantifying the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries. All results from your test will be given to you, and sent to your physician. Please note that screening CT examinations are not intended to take the place of your usual routine doctor's evaluations, but rather to give you and your doctor additional information on which to base lifestyle changes and treatment decisions. We hope many of your questions about CT Calcium Scoring are answered here. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office or consult with your physician.