Heart Center

Cardiac scoring

Cardiac scoring measures the amount of calcium in the heart's arteries. Over time, calcium can build up in the coronary arteries and lead to blockages that could cause a heart attack or other problems.

Most people who undergo cardiac scoring do not have symptoms of heart disease but have some risk factors. During the 15-minute procedure, a patient lies on a table that slides through a doughnut-shaped, ultra-fast CT scanner. It records detailed images of the heart in approximately two minutes and sends information to a computer. The service is offered at Thomas Hospital and Thomas Medical Center.