Coronary Calcium Scoring
Put Your Heart in the Right Place
Get help for your heart or peripheral vascular condition, and find out how you can manage your heart health. Talk with the cardiac specialists at Cottage Health. Call our heart and vascular care center at 1-844-51-HEART.
To evaluate the presence and location of calcium (fatty, hard deposits or plaque) in your coronary arteries, your Cottage Health doctor may recommend coronary calcium scoring, a noninvasive heart-imaging test.
Evaluating Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary arteries supply your heart with oxygen-rich blood. If these major vessels contain calcium, you may be at risk for atherosclerosis, commonly known as coronary artery disease (CAD). If you live with CAD, you’re at greater risk for a heart attack (myocardial infarction). A coronary calcium scoring test can help your doctor evaluate your level of risk.
What You Can Expect
During the exam, our ultrafast 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner takes images of your heart to look for calcium buildup. The images receive a score based on the amount of calcium present in your arteries and your risk for CAD. You and your physician will review the images and results as part of your diagnosis and plan for possible treatment.
How to Prepare
Your doctor may ask you to refrain from smoking or consuming anything with caffeine before the test.
Interpreting Your Test Results
Depending on your test results, your primary care physician or cardiologist may recommend treatment options to minimize your risk of a heart attack.
Learn more about coronary calcium scoring and how to decide if you need a coronary calcium scan.
Meet Our Heart & Vascular Doctors
The Heart and Vascular Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a nationally recognized regional destination for cardiovascular expertise and medical management of complex heart and vascular conditions.
The Meet the Doctors seminars give you an opportunity to learn about conditions of the heart and the latest treatment options. The healthy conversations include a 45-minute presentation by a physician, followed by ample time for questions.
The session is free. Please register in advance by calling us at 1-844-51-HEART.
