Coronary Calcium Score Test for Heart Risk

A calcium score screening heart test (also called coronary calcium scan) is a test that uses computerized tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of your heart. A higher coronary calcium score suggests you have a higher chance of significant narrowing in the coronary arteries and a higher risk of future heart attack. Cardiologist Dr. Milind Desai talks about the test and why your doctor may order one, who should and should not get this test, how the test results are used, other information you can find through calcium score testing, and how tests are ordered and results provided at Cleveland Clinic.