A coronary calcium score test uses computed tomography (CT) to check for calcium build-up in the walls of the coronary arteries, which is a sign of heart disease.
During the test, a CT scanner takes pictures of your heart in thin sections. The result is a score based on the amount of calcium seen on the pictures. The higher your calcium score, the higher your risk for coronary artery disease. The test takes about 15 minutes and emits low levels of radiation exposure.
If your score is high, your physician may prescribe medicines to lower these risks. A high score may also lead to other tests and treatments that could help you avoid a heart attack.
