Coronary Calcium Score
Understand your risk
A Coronary Calcium Score test is a quick, non-invasive CT scan that measures the amount of calcium build-up in the arteries of your heart. This calcium, or plaque, can indicate the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) long before symptoms like chest pain appear. By identifying plaque early, you and your doctor can take proactive steps to reduce your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
The test is fast, painless, and requires no special preparation. You may want to consider this test if you:
- Are over 50 years old with moderate cardiovascular risk based on the Australian Heart Foundation’s CVD risk assessment
- Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Have type 2 diabetes
- Have a family history of premature heart disease
- Smoke or used to smoke
- Are overweight or have a sedentary lifestyle
A coronary calcium score test is not recommended for people at low risk of heart disease with no major risk factors, or for those who already have symptoms, as other diagnostic tests are more suitable. It is also generally not advised for adults under 50 unless there is a strong family history or a known genetic predisposition to heart disease. A clinician will review your risk profile with you before any referral is issued, so the scan is only ordered if it's appropriate for you.
Your pre-screen consult
Before your scan goes ahead, you'll have a short consult with one of our clinicians. This step is included in the price of every Coronary Calcium Score and is designed to make sure the test is the right choice for you. During the consult we will:
- Check the scan is appropriate — review your age, risk factors, symptoms and medical history against current cardiovascular screening guidelines to confirm a calcium score is the most suitable test for you.
- Talk through the risks and limitations — explain the small radiation dose involved in a CT scan, the possibility of incidental findings that may require further investigation, and what a low or high score does and doesn't tell you.
- Set expectations for your results — make sure you understand how the score is interpreted and the kinds of next steps that may follow, so there are no surprises.
- Answer your questions — give you the chance to raise anything you're unsure about before you commit to the scan.
If the consult finds the scan isn't appropriate for you, we won't issue a referral, and we'll process your refund.
How It Works
- Complete the Online Assessment - prior to ordering, we recommend using the Australian Heart Foundation’s CVD risk calculator to assess your cardiovascular risk and gain a clearer understanding of your likelihood of developing heart disease.
- Book your pre-screen consult - a clinician will review your risk profile with you, confirm the scan is appropriate, and go through any risks and limitations. Your referral is only issued once this step is complete.
- We'll Email you your Referral - we'll email your your referral and instructions for your CT scan. You can find out more information about the procedure here.
- Schedule your CT scan - schedule your CT coronary calcium score scan at your local I-MED Radiology clinic. I-MED operates one of Australia’s largest networks of MRI-capable clinics, so you can choose a location that’s convenient for you.
- Receive your results your scan is reviewed by a qualified medical professional, and your results are delivered to your i-screen dashboard with an easy-to-understand breakdown of findings and personalised guidance on what to do next.
What's included
A consult with a clinician before your scan to confirm the test is appropriate for you and to walk you through the risks, limitations and what your results will mean. No referral is issued until this step is complete.
We'll provide you with your online referral for your coronary calcium score scan, issued once your pre-screen consult confirms the scan is suitable.
A Coronary Calcium Score test is a fast, non-invasive CT scan that measures the amount of calcium build-up in the arteries of your heart - the earliest physical sign of coronary artery disease. This calcium, or plaque, can indicate the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) long before symptoms like chest pain appear. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
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