What is a calcium score?

A calcium score (CAC) measures the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries. A score of 0 indicates no detectable calcification and a very low short-term risk. Higher scores indicate increasing risk and are used to guide preventive treatment.

Is CTCA as reliable as an angiogram?

For ruling out significant coronary artery disease, CTCA has excellent sensitivity. It's the preferred non-invasive investigation for stable chest pain according to NICE guidelines.

What's the radiation dose?

Modern cardiac CT uses prospective gating to significantly reduce dose, typically 1–5 mSv for CTCA, comparable to 6 months of background radiation.

Will I need beta-blockers?

A slow, regular heart rate is needed for clear images. If your resting heart rate is above 65 bpm, you may be given a short-acting beta-blocker (oral or IV) before the scan. This is safe and standard practice.

Private Cardiac CT Scan

Cardiac CT Scan

CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and calcium scoring provide a non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease risk, no catheter required.

Results 48 hours30–60 minutesClinician referral

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About this scan

What is a Cardiac CT Scan?

Cardiac CT scans use specialised CT technology to produce detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries. CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) visualises the coronary arteries in detail.

Calcium scoring (also called a coronary artery calcium or CAC score) is a simpler, lower-dose scan that quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, an established risk marker for future heart attack. Together, these scans help cardiologists and GPs make informed decisions about treatment and prevention.

Key facts

✓Calcium scoring available as a standalone risk assessment
✓Results interpreted by a consultant cardiac radiologist
✓Clinician referral required by law

Indications

Who needs this scan?

💔

Chest pain or breathlessness

Investigation of symptoms that could indicate coronary artery disease.

🧬

Family history of heart disease

Proactive screening when first-degree relatives have had heart attacks.

🩺

High cardiovascular risk

Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smokers over 50.

📊

Calcium scoring

Baseline risk assessment and monitoring over time.

Packages

Choose your package

Coronary Calcium Score

Non-contrast CT to quantify coronary artery calcification.

✓Low-dose non-contrast CT
✓Calcium score (Agatston)
✓Risk stratification report

Popular

CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA)

Detailed visualisation of the coronary arteries with contrast.

✓Contrast-enhanced cardiac CT
✓Full coronary artery assessment
✓Cardiac radiologist report
✓GP letter

Calcium Score + CTCA

Comprehensive cardiac CT package, risk score and full angiography.

✓Calcium score
✓Full CTCA
✓Combined cardiac radiologist report
✓GP letter

Your appointment

What to expect

1

ECG monitoring

Electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor heart rhythm. The scan is timed to capture images between heartbeats.

2

Contrast injection

For CTCA, contrast dye is injected via a small cannula. You may feel a warm flush; this is normal and passes quickly.

3

Rapid scan

Modern cardiac CT scanners capture the entire heart in a few heartbeats. The scan itself takes under a minute, though the appointment is 30–60 minutes total.

4

Report

A specialist cardiac radiologist interprets your images and delivers a full report within 48 hours, including your calcium score if requested.

Before your scan

How to prepare

1
Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) for 12 hours before your scan; caffeine raises heart rate.
2
Avoid vigorous exercise for 4 hours before the scan.
3
A beta-blocker tablet (to slow the heart rate) may be given before the scan; inform us of any medications.
4
Contrast dye is used for CTCA; inform the team of any allergies or kidney problems.

Ready to book?

Compare cardiac ct scan appointments at independent centres. You do not need a referral from your own GP, but this scan uses X-rays, so UK regulations require a referral from a registered clinician and the centre must confirm the scan is justified.

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