A cardiac calcium score—sometimes called a coronary calcium scan—is a brief CT scan that does not use an IV or contrast dye. Its job is simple: to look for hardened calcium in the walls of the heart’s arteries. The scan produces one number, called the Agatston score. In general, higher numbers mean more visible calcium, and a score of zero means none was seen on the scan. Your clinician uses that number as one part of a bigger conversation about future heart-disease risk. On its own, the calcium score doesn’t diagnose a heart attack or tell the whole story of heart health.
Where it fits: National cardiology guidance describes calcium scoring as a risk-assessment tool that can help when a prevention plan is still being decided—for example, when a clinician is weighing whether cholesterol-lowering medicine makes sense for certain adults who don’t already have diagnosed heart disease. The decision to test and how to use the result belongs with your clinician, who knows your history.
What your visit is like: You’ll remove any metal near the chest (like necklaces), lie on the table, and follow short breath-hold instructions while the scanner takes pictures. A radiologist reviews the images and reports the score to the ordering clinician, who discusses what it means for you and any next steps.
How we handle access at BRI: Bluegrass Regional Imaging performs CT and PET/CT. Scheduling for exams is coordinated through the ordering clinician’s office. If you’re wondering whether a calcium score is appropriate, talk with your clinician first.
