Heart scan is a noninvasive technique that provides images of the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries). It detects the presence and measures the amount of calcium in the walls of coronary arteries and hence, is also known as coronary calcium scan. The result of the test is denoted as coronary calcium score.
Uses:
Calcium deposit (plaque) is a marker of coronary artery disease. It can narrow the arteries and increase risk of heart attack. The scan uses computerized tomography (CT) that produces multiple images to show the calcium in the arteries. This helps determine the risk of CAD.
Heart scan can help detect cardiovascular disease, heart valve lesions, fluid build-up around the heart (pericardial effusion), etc. In CT angiography a dye is injected to help visualize narrowing of heart arteries.