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Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS)

What is Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring?

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring uses a CT scan to find the buildup of calcium on the walls of the arteries of the heart in less than 10 minutes. This scan can detect very small deposits of calcium in your coronary arteries with great accuracy. Your calcium score provides a general indication how much calcium you have in your arteries compared to other man or women of your age.

Common uses for CACS

The purpose of the CACS is to detect Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) at an early age. Your physician may recommend it if you have risk factors for CAD but no symptoms yet. The major risk factors for CAD are:

Age (men 45 or older, women 55 or older)
Family history of heart disease
High cholesterol
History of smoking
High blood pressure
High stress levels
Sedentary lifestyle
Diabetes

How do I get ready for the test?

There is no special preparation for this test. Wear comfortable clothing avoiding snaps and zippers. Women should not wear an underwire bra. Please arrive at the hospital 20 minutes before your appointment and be sure to have a photo ID with you. You must have a Physician's order to have this test performed.

During the test

A Technologist will have you fill out a brief risk factor questionnaire before your test. You will lie down on the imaging table while a CT Technologist places a few EKG leads on you. The EKG monitors your heart activity and makes it possible to record the CT scans at the best times -- when the heart is not actively contracting. You will be asked to hold your breath while the images are taken.

Is Cardiac Scoring safe?

Radiation exposure during a CACS CT scan is equal to a few months to a year's worth of natural background radiation (i.e. from radon gas in our homes, soil or from cosmic rays). It is more than the radiation exposure from general x-ray studies such as a chest x-ray, but less than that from a barium enema, upper GI series or cardiac catheterization. Exposure to the x-rays causes no discomfort. No intravenous injections or needles are required for the test.

What can my cardiac score tell my doctor and me?

A radiologist will analyze the images from the scan and provide a report to your physician with your CACS score. With this information your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment including diet and lifestyle changes, medications, and/or further testing.

CACS Scan versus other detection procedures

Test	Advantages	Disadvantages
Stress Test (e.g. Cardiolite)	Ideal for patients who have symptoms. Used to determine extent of blockage.	Does not produce an image of coronary arteries. Significant blockage must be present to detect decreased blood flow.
Cardiac Catheterization	"Gold Standard" Shows narrowing of arteries. Shows number of diseased arteries.	Generally used only with confirmed reduction of blood flow. Invasive. Expensive.
Intravascular Ultrasound	Direct images of the artery. Can be used to perform angioplasty and stent placement. Can detect calcium deposits.	Generally used only with confirmed reduction of blood flow. Invasive. Expensive.
Computed Tomography Cardiac Score (CACS)	Noninvasive. Detects and quantifies coronary artery calcium deposts. May be used in patients with no symptoms. May be used to estimate risk of future events.	Does not identify narrowing of the arteries. No universally defined treatment plans for those with positive test results.

How much does a CACS CT scan cost?

At this time, most insurance carriers are not paying for cardiac scoring scans. There are a few that will cover the cost of the scan if your family physician requests it. Check with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible for reimbursement for the cost of the scan. All SACS CT scans must be paid for at the time of the scan. You may contact the Radiology department for pricing.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You must have a physician's order to have the CACS scan done. If you would like to schedule an appointment to have a CACS CT scan please call the Berger Health System Central Scheduling office at (740) 474-7701.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any other questions or concerns you may call the Berger Health System Radiology department at (740) 420-8248. You will be put in touch with a CT Technologist who can answer your questions.