Calcium Score

Over time, excessive plaque in your arteries can build up and lead to atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries. This condition can put you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. A calcium score, or cardiac calcium scan, assesses the extent of calcified plaque buildup in your heart’s arteries so your care team can provide personalized prevention and treatment.

When you need a calcium score, Goshen Heart & Vascular Center has the right screenings and tools to keep you on top of your heart health. With heart screenings and advanced heart diagnostic services, we’re a leading provider of innovative heart & vascular care.

You can find out the status of your heart health by talking to your primary care provider about getting a referral for a calcium score test. If you don’t have a primary care provider, call (574) 537-5000 for a referral.

Do I need a calcium score?

Your calcium score is an important component of your overall heart health. It lets your doctor know if you’re at risk for a life-threatening complication and if treatment is needed.

Knowing your calcium score is important if:

• You have certain risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes
• You are in a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease because of your ethnicity or lifestyle habits
• You have a family history of early heart attack or heart disease

What to expect

A calcium score test is a painless, noninvasive procedure. To get your calcium score, a trained specialist will perform a CT scan of your chest that will produce 3-D images of your coronary blood vessels.

It takes about one hour to complete the test, which includes checking in for your appointment, preparing for the test and completing the scan.

If you would like a calcium score test, you will need a referral from your provider. The cost is $75 and it isn't filed with your insurance.

Your calcium score results

Your doctor will use the following ranges to determine your calcium score:

• 0 to 100: No calcification or only mild calcification.
• 101 to 400: Moderate calcification that may require diet modifications and an exercise program to promote better heart health.
• Greater than 401: Extensive calcium deposits within your coronary arteries. Your doctor may suggest interventional cardiology to reduce the risk of a serious complication.

Along with results from urine and blood tests, your doctor will determine your calcium score that reveals how much, if any, plaque is in your arteries. A calcium score is often combined with other screenings to completely evaluate your cardiovascular health.

We can help

Knowing your heart health means knowing how your coronary arteries are doing. Call (574) 364-2400 to learn how you can schedule a coronary calcium scan.