CCTA vs. Calcium Scoring Tests: Which Does Your Heart Need?

When heart disease affects your body’s most important muscle, you need to know about it ASAP. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and calcium scoring tests are two excellent ways to get an inside look at what’s going on inside your heart.

While each helps uncover cardiovascular disease, these tests serve different purposes and are most effective in specific situations. Here’s why your provider may recommend one or the other.

Similarities Between CCTA and Calcium Scoring

CCTA and calcium scoring are unique cardiac imaging tests with a few similarities. These include the following:

• Computed tomography (CT). CCTA and calcium scoring both use a CT scanner to visualize your heart, blood vessels, and surrounding tissue.
• Diagnostic power. Radiologists and other health providers rely on these imaging scans to detect and diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and other conditions affecting the heart.
• Monitoring and risk assessment. By producing clear images of the heart, these tests enable your care team to monitor your heart health and assess your risk for future heart attack or stroke.

Focused Cardiac Exams

While both visualize blood vessels that supply the heart and the heart itself, each exam has a different focus. According to the National Institutes of Health, this focus is what separates the two exams.

Calcium scans look for calcium buildup within the heart’s arteries. If there is a lot of buildup, your risk of heart issues increases.

CCTA finds narrowed or blocked arteries leading to the heart. This test is often helpful when other tests don’t provide sufficient information for a definitive diagnosis.

When appropriate, your radiologist may combine your test with other screenings for a fuller picture of your heart health.

Do You Have Symptoms or Risk Factors?

If you’re experiencing heart-related symptoms, a cardiac imaging test can help determine the cause.

Symptoms that may indicate you may need a cardiac CT or CCTA scan include:

• Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness in the arms or legs

Calcium scoring doesn’t help uncover the cause of your symptoms. It’s typically used to detect plaque buildup in the coronary arteries before symptoms begin. It’s most helpful in those with specific risk factors for heart disease.

You may need a calcium scoring test if you have any of the following risk factors:

• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Obesity
• Personal history of smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle

What Happens During and After Calcium Scoring or CCTA

Your CCTA or calcium scoring test takes place in an imaging suite. There, you lie on a table that slides into the CT scanner. An X-ray beam then rotates around you to capture images of your heart and blood vessels. Image slices are stacked together to produce a three-dimensional photo.

During the exam, your imaging team may ask you to hold your breath. This helps you stay still, which leads to clearer images. In some cases, your team will administer a contrast material through an intravenous (IV) line to enhance the visibility of certain areas.

The scan takes approximately 2-5 minutes, with no recovery time necessary and little risk of side effects. You receive your results soon after your exam. Information provided depends on the test you undergo.

• Abnormalities. CCTA produces normal or abnormal results. Abnormalities may be caused by narrowed arteries, bulging arteries, tumors or other heart problems.
• Score. A calcium score of zero means your arteries are clear and healthy. As your score increases, so does the risk of future heart issues.

With this information, your care team can help you take steps toward improved heart health. They may prescribe lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet. If necessary, they may prescribe medication, such as beta blockers, to protect your heart health.

CCTA vs. Calcium Scoring: What to Know

CCTA and calcium score testing use CT technology to identify potential problems in your heart and heart’s arteries. The tests only take a few minutes and help with diagnosis, treatment planning and more.

CCTA focuses on identifying narrow arteries, while calcium scoring determines the extent of calcium buildup in your arteries. Each can be used in conjunction with other tests for a more comprehensive assessment of your heart health.

If you have symptoms of heart disease, you may benefit from a CCTA. However, if you’re at high risk for heart problems, a calcium score test can determine your risk before symptoms begin.

After your exam, you receive results that help your care team determine the next step in your care journey.

Did your provider order a CCTA scan or Calcium Scoring Test for you? Call (520) 733-7226 or request an appointment online at Radiology Ltd.