What the Free Heart Scan Actually Shows
The free heart scan at Life Imaging is a specialized CT exam that looks for calcified plaque inside the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Over time, plaque can harden, and that calcium becomes visible on the scan even when the buildup is still very small. This type of imaging is important because heart disease often progresses silently, sometimes for years, before symptoms become noticeable.
Bloodwork, blood pressure readings, and family history can help estimate your overall risk, but none of those tools can show what is happening inside your arteries at this exact moment. A CT heart scan provides that real-time look, giving you insight that would otherwise remain hidden.
Your results come in the form of a coronary calcium score. A very low score typically means your arteries are clear. A higher score indicates plaque is present and that you may want to take preventive steps with your healthcare provider. While the scan cannot predict a heart attack, it can reveal early warning signs that allow you to act sooner. It can also show structural details around the heart area, helping create a more complete picture of your cardiovascular health. It’s a quick, noninvasive way to get meaningful information about your heart.
What the Heart Scan Commonly Detects
Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries
This is the primary purpose of the exam even mild buildup can be seen on a CT scan.
Early signs of atherosclerosis
The scan can identify plaque development long before symptoms appear.
Indicators of cardiovascular risk
Your calcium score helps estimate your chances of developing heart disease.
Structural information around the heart
The scan provides visual details that support a broader understanding of your heart health.
Baseline health data
The results give you a reference point that can help track changes over time.
Final Notes
The free heart scan is a fast, painless way to find out whether calcium has started to build up in your coronary arteries. It offers clarity that blood tests alone cannot provide and gives you a clearer understanding of your current heart health helping you make confident decisions about your long-term wellness.
Call Us Today
If you’d like to learn more about the heart scan or schedule your appointment, call us now and our team will assist you right away.
What Does the American Heart Association Say About Calcium Scoring?
The American Heart Association (AHA) explains that a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test is a reliable way to measure calcium buildup in the arteries and identify early signs of heart disease. Their experts note that calcium scoring can reveal plaque before symptoms appear, making it a useful tool for prevention and long-term heart health planning.
According to the AHA, calcium scoring helps:
- Detect plaque buildup early
- Provide clear images of the coronary arteries
- Identify people at higher risk for heart disease
- Guide treatment and lifestyle decisions
- Support long-term monitoring of cardiovascular health
For more details, visit the American Heart Association:
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cac-test
