FREE Calcium Scoring
Early detection for a healthy heart!
Southwest General is pleased to offer
FREE Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring
What is Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring?
Coronary artery calcium scoring is a quick, painless and non-invasive test to estimate the risk of future cardiac events in people without symptoms.
The test uses a computed tomography (CT) scan to obtain images of the coronary arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to your heart. These images show the amount of calcified plaque (fatty deposits that have hardened) in your arteries. The calcified plaque in your arteries is scored on a scale from zero to more than 1,000—this is your calcium score.
Your calcium score helps indicate your risk for coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis): the higher the score, the more plaque is present, and because calcified plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries, the greater your risk of related cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke.
Calcium scoring is one of several tools your healthcare provider can use to help determine your risk of cardiovascular disease and make treatment decisions.
Who Can Benefit from Testing?
Calcium scoring can be helpful for people, aged 40 or older, who have a borderline risk of heart disease, including those with:
- A family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
- A history of smoking or use of tobacco products
- A high body mass index
People with a normal calcium score may benefit from repeating the test periodically to determine if their risk remains low. For those with high or abnormal results, additional testing is not helpful.
Who Should Not Have Testing?
Testing is not recommended for:
- Pregnant women
- Those who have had a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event, which already places them at high risk
- Those who have no symptoms of heart disease and a low risk of heart attacks
FREE Calcium Scoring!
Because calcium scoring is typically not covered by insurance, Southwest General is proud to offer this test to our patients for FREE.
Testing is done at Southwest General’s Main Campus, in Middleburg Heights. The entire CT calcium scoring process takes approximately 20 minutes. There are no injections or fasting requirements. You can return to normal activities immediately after testing is completed.
Scheduling Your Appointment
A physician order is required to schedule you FREE calcium score test.
I have an order
If you have an order for a calcium score test, call our Central Scheduling Department, at 440-816-8605, to schedule your test.
I need an order
If you do not have an order for a calcium score test, contact your primary care provider to ask about testing and, to request an order.
If you need a primary care provider check our online Provider Directory >>>
Results and Follow Up
A cardiologist and radiologist on Southwest General’s Medical Staff will analyze the images from your CT scan and convert the information to your calcium score. That score will be sent to your referring physician to review with you and discuss any next steps that may be needed.
Find out YOUR calcium score!
FREE, easy, quick and painless testing … call 440-816-8605 to schedule.