A CT scan can detect your chances of heart disease by measuring the amount of calcium in the walls of your coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply your heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. The more calcium buildup there is in the walls of your arteries, the higher your risk of developing heart disease.
During the CT scan, a specialized type of X-ray technology called computed tomography is used to produce detailed images of your coronary arteries. These images are then analyzed to determine your coronary calcium score, which is a measure of the amount of calcium in the walls of your arteries. Based on your calcium score, your doctor can assess your risk of developing heart disease and recommend appropriate treatment or lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk.
