Heart Scan

About This Screening

Over half the people who die suddenly of heart disease have no symptoms. A heart scan could save your life by providing an advance warning that allows you to make necessary lifestyle changes to reduce your chances of a devastating cardiovascular incident. It's a non-invasive, 10-minute procedure that assesses the risk of coronary artery disease and is the most advanced heart scan of its kind, offering greater accuracy and detail than other traditional CT scans. Calcification in the coronary arteries is the earliest indicator of heart disease. The heart scan uses noninvasive, high-speed computerized tomography (CT) to scan your heart and detect calcium deposits along the walls of the arteries. A coronary artery calcium scoring exam produces a score that identifies your level of deposits. Additional factors such as age, family history and cholesterol level, enable your doctor to measure your potential for heart disease.

What to expect during your heart screening:

• Fasting is required for a heart scan.
• Jewelry and metal items must be removed.
• Electrocardiogram leads will be placed on your chest to synchronize the scan with your heartbeats.
• You will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during scanning.
• You will be lying comfortably on the exam table for about five minutes, though the scan takes only seconds.

Who qualifies for a heart scan?

• Current or former smoker
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease (parent or sibling)
• Abnormal cholesterol levels (high total cholesterol or low HDL "good" cholesterol)
• High blood pressure or are being treated for high blood pressure

How much does a heart scan cost?

At Franciscan Health a heart scan costs $49 out of pocket. Not all screenings are available at every imaging center and you must meet the qualifications for each.

A free heart risk assessment is included with every screening. 

For more information, call 833-238-0688.