Assess Your Risk for Heart Attack
A Cardiac Score CT Screening is a convenient, noninvasive test that evaluates whether you are at an increased risk of a heart attack. The computed tomography (CT) scans are painless, have no side effects and typically take seven minutes to complete.
Cardiac CT scans determine the amount of calcium in a coronary artery, which in turn indicates the amount of fatty deposits in a blood vessel. These calcium deposits appear years before a person shows signs of heart disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. The CT Scan uses specialized computer software to calculate a score, known as a calcium score, for each of your coronary arteries based on the volume and density of calcium present.
Calcium scores help physicians assess a patient’s risk of developing heart problems. Scans can also measure the progression of heart disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
A $89* Screen
South Texas Health System Heart offers Cardiac Score CT Screenings for only $89* to help you understand your risk for heart disease. When heart conditions are detected early, it is easier to receive proper treatment and to live a longer life.
Those who meet any of the following risk factors should consider getting a Cardiac Score CT Screening:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Overweight or diabetic
- Smoker or second-hand exposure to tobacco
- Inactive lifestyle
- Stressful lifestyle
*$89 is for scan only, $99 for scan and lab work
How to Schedule Your Appointment
Help protect your heart health by scheduling a Cardiac Score CT Screening for only $99 at South Texas Health System Heart.
Call 956-388-2190
On the day of your screening, report to the Day Registration area near the main lobby of South Texas Health System Heart.
What To Expect
Please avoid caffeine and refrain from smoking for four hours leading up to your scheduled Cardiac Score CT Screening; otherwise, there are no other special preparations for patients.
Prior to the scan, we’ll ask you to change into a hospital gown from the waist up and remove any jewelry from around your neck and chest area. Then, we’ll attach a few electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes to your chest as you to lie on the CT Scan table. The table will slide into the CT Scanner where we’ll proceed to take several images of your heart. During this short examination we’ll ask you to hold your breath a few seconds at a time while the CT Scanner takes the images.