One sign of heart disease is build-up in the walls of the coronary arteries, which a coronary calcium score test uses computed tomography (CT) can assess.
The test takes about 15 minutes and emits low levels of radiation exposure, during which a CT scanner takes pictures of your heart in thin sections that show calcium build-up to determine a score. Your risk for coronary artery disease increases as your calcium score increases.
If you score high on the test, it may lead to further tests and treatments to help you avoid a heart attack and your physician may prescribe medicines to lower your risks.