Heart Calcium Scan 

Heart and Cardiovascular Services now offers a test to help determine if the arteries that supply your heart, known as coronary arteries, are hardened with excess calcium.   Your calcium score, along with knowledge of your risk factors, can be used by your physician to determine your likelihood of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease.  The score helps to guide the need for further testing and for treatment.

 

 

To find out if this test is right for you:

Please call 706-721-2328.  A referral from a physician is not required.

If you are a physician and need to refer a patient, please call 706-721-2426.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the heart screening is just $100, with payment due at the time of screening.  This amount includes the cost of the scan and interpretation by the physician.  Most insurance plans do not yet cover the cost of this valuable screening.

Is This Test Right For Me?

Anyone who may be at risk for developing heart disease can benefit from a calcium screening.  The test is most beneficial for men 45-75 years of age and women 55-75 years of age.

What does this screening involve?

The CT scan is safe, simple, painless and fast. A CT technologist will apply three small electrocardiogram pads to your chest and you will lie on the scanner table and hold your breath several times for 15 to 20 seconds at a time as the table moves slowly in and out of the scanner. No intravenous injections are required. The entire procedure lasts less than five minutes. 

How do we use the information from a Coronary Calcium Scan?

If your calcium score is zero (no detectable calcium), your chance of having a heart attack in the next five years is very low. Additional testing is usually not needed. If you have significant coronary calcification, additional testing or treatment may be appropriate. Your physician may alter your medical treatment based on these results. If desired, a consultation with a Georgia Regents Cardiologist can be arranged to discuss the results of your study.

Directions to Georgia Regents Medical Center Imaging

1120 15th Street, Augusta, Ga 30912

Park at the Harper Street Parking Deck

Enter the hospital through the Critical Care doors (just to the left of the emergency room entrance)

Proceed straight ahead and take the elevator up to the second floor.

 Take a left off of the elevator and go straight to imaging.

Coronary Calcium Scan 

The white arrow points to deposits of calcium in the coronary arteries.