[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/what-is-coronary-calcium-scoring\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/what-is-coronary-calcium-scoring\/","headline":"What Is Coronary Calcium Scoring?","name":"What Is Coronary Calcium Scoring?","description":"A coronary calcium test can help detect heart disease, even before you experience any symptoms.","datePublished":"2021-12-17","dateModified":"2025-04-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/lowtestosterone.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/lowtestosterone.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/what-is-coronary-calcium-scoring\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":458,"articleBody":"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to about 1 in 4 deaths.Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent this from happening. One test that can help detect the early signs of heart disease \u2014 even before you experience symptoms \u2014 is coronary calcium scoring.What Is Coronary Calcium Scoring?Coronary calcium scoring is a test that detects the buildup of calcium (or “plaque”) in your coronary arteries. Plaque buildup can block blood flow to your heart or brain, raising your risk of heart attack and stroke.The test uses a CT scan, an advanced x-ray, to take pictures of your heart. These pictures can measure the amount of calcium inside your arteries and give you a calcium score. The higher your calcium score, the higher your risk for heart disease.Based on your results, you and your doctor can discuss treatments and lifestyle changes that can help lower your risk. “Early detection of heart disease saves lives,” said Mehreen Qureshi, MD, cardiologist, UPMC in Central Pa., “Identification of plaque in the heart arteries with precise treatment targeted towards lowering cholesterol could be key in preventing a heart attack.”Who Should Get a Coronary Calcium Test?People who are at higher risk for heart disease may benefit from a coronary calcium scoring test. Those who may benefit from testing include:People with a personal or family history of coronary artery disease.Men 45 and older.Women 55 and older.People with a history of smoking.People with a history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.People who are overweight or obese.People who are inactive.If you believe you are at higher risk, talk to your doctor about getting a coronary calcium test.What Does a Coronary Calcium Test Entail?A coronary calcium scoring appointment should last around 30 minutes. The test itself should take between five and 10 minutes.Clinicians will connect you to a heart monitor and may need to shave a small patch of your chest. The test itself is non-invasive, meaning nothing enters your body.You should avoid wearing clothes that have metal zippers, snaps, or hooks from the waist up. However, you do not need to fast before your test.Coronary Calcium Testing at UPMCYou can schedule a coronary calcium scoring test at UPMC by calling the location closest to you:UPMC Altoona: 814-889-4222.UPMC Central Pa. (several locations): 717-230-3700.UPMC Outpatient Center, West Mifflin: 412-647-9729.UPMC Hamot: 814-877-6123.UPMC Passavant-McCandless: 412-647-9729.UPMC Presbyterian: 412-647-9729.UPMC Shadyside: 412-647-9729.You will get your results through your patient portal or by calling the provider’s office where your test was performed.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 17, 2021, and was last reviewed on April 25, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is Coronary Calcium Scoring?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/12\/what-is-coronary-calcium-scoring\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]