No-Cost Coronary Artery Calcium Score Test
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute offers a screening test called cardiac CT imaging for coronary artery calcium scoring. This test has been shown by many studies in medical literature to predict future risk of heart attack. While coronary artery scoring is costly at other health systems and generally not covered by insurance, University Hospitals offers the test at no cost.
Schedule Your Calcium Score Test
Do you have an order for a calcium score test from your physician?Yes, I have an order No, I do not have an order
What is Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring?
- This test is used to determine your future risk of heart attack.
- A calcium score test is a noninvasive, low dose CT scan, performed without an intravenous line or any contrast material.
- The appointment takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, with the actual CT scan about 10 to 15 minutes of that time.
- Coronary calcium scoring involves a small portion of radiation, similar to or lower than that used in other screenings.
- The test measures the amount of calcium that has accumulated in the walls of the coronary arteries and provides what is termed a “coronary artery calcium score” to help interpret your risk level.
Who Should Get a Calcium Score Test?
Heart Test Finds Lung Mass
A coronary calcium screening offered at no charge by UH can yield important findings.
Read MoreMen and women age 45 or older, with no history of coronary artery disease, and with one or more risk factors for heart disease, including:
- High blood cholesterol
- Low HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”)
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Type 2 diabetes
- Family history of heart disease at age 55 or younger in men and 65 or younger in women
- Chronic inflammatory condition (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, HIV/AIDS)
- Female conditions such as preeclampsia or early menopause (younger than 40)
- Chronic kidney disease
Testing at a younger age may be indicated in certain situations. Please consult your physician for further recommendations.
What to Expect
Day of the Test
- Avoid caffeine and tobacco products for 24 hours prior to the test.
- Insulin devices cannot be worn during the test as exposure to any amount of radiation may cause the device to malfunction. Please schedule around the exchange of your device as it cannot be reattached once removed.
- Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to change into a gown for the test.
- Leave jewelry at home. Metal objects like eyeglasses, piercings, dentures or hairpins may need to be removed prior to test.
- Appointment takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes total (actual CT scan is 10 to 15 minutes).
Payment
UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute offers this test at no cost.
Follow-Up
- A copy of the report will be sent to your primary care or referring doctor.
- After you have received your results, please call 216-844-3800 if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our cardiovascular specialists.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
A score of zero means that no calcium is seen. That finding is associated with a very low risk (less than 1 percent) of a heart attack over the next 10 years. As the amount of calcium detected increases, the risk of heart attack also increases.
When a calcium score is 1-99 or 100-399, this means that some hardening of the arteries is present, and will indicate how intensively prevention strategies should be used to control your modifiable heart disease risk factors.
When a calcium score is found to be 400 or greater, this is a warning that extensive hardening of the arteries is present and aggressive prevention strategies should be used.
| Calcium score | Risk interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0 | Very low |
| 1-99 | Low |
| 100-399 | Moderate |
| 400 or greater | High |
Depending on your results, consider scheduling an appointment with one of our cardiovascular specialists for related medical needs or treatment.
Do You Have an Order?
In order to receive a no cost calcium score test you must have an order from a physician.
Yes, I have an order
If you have an order for a calcium score test, call 216-844-1700 or schedule your order online. Once the test is complete, results will be sent to your referring provider to read, provide your test results and discuss the next steps.
No, I do not have an order
If you do not have an order for a calcium score test, contact your primary care provider to discuss if this test is right for you, and request an order.
Don't Have a Primary Care Provider?