Cardiovascular
Clinics
Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS)
A CACS is a computer tomography scan that looks for calcification of the arteries indicating early stage coronary disease and higher risk.
A Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) is a non-invasive imaging test using a CT scanner. A CACS takes CT pictures of your heart without contrast dye.
Why?
A CACS is used by your doctor to identify the presence of calcification of the coronary arteries of the heart. Coronary calcification occurs when there is underlying coronary arterial disease. The CACS allows your doctor to detect coronary artery disease early in a non-invasive way without contrast.
Preparation
Don’t drink caffeine, tea, coffee or take any stimulants such as cold and flu medication or smoke cigarettes 12 hours prior to the test. Do not eat anything 2 hours prior to the test. Remove necklaces. You may be required to stop other medications.
How is it done?
You will be asked to take off the clothes above your waist and put on a gown provided to you. You will be asked to lie down on the bed that slides into the CT scanner.
The CT scan will be performed and will take approximately 5 minutes. Your cardiologist will arrange a review to discuss the CACS results.
Duration
30 minutes.
