HeartScan Minnesota®

Calcium scoring heart scan

A simple, inexpensive heart imaging procedure that gives you details about your heart’s health.

Commonly called a heart scan, a cardiac calcium score is a noninvasive X-ray technology with a computed tomography (CT) scanner to determine the amount of calcium (plaque) that is in the arteries of your heart. Calcium build-up is a sign of coronary artery disease.

Often, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. Unlike standard stress tests that can't detect calcium deposits until artery narrowing is at least 50 percent, HeartScan Minnesota gives you an inside view of your heart's health complete with a personalized calcium score.

*If you are under 35 years old, you must obtain a doctor’s order before having this scan.

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Good to know about the scan

The scan gives you a number called an Agatston score. Zero means the test didn’t find any calcium. The higher the number, the more important it is for you and your doctor to come up with a plan to protect your heart.

Your doctor may get your results the same day of the test, but it can take longer.

The amount of radiation emitted by this CT scan is very low - about the same as a mammogram or a chest x-ray.

Billing and insurance

The cost is $100 paid at the time of your appointment. You will receive a receipt at the time of your payment. Typically, this cost is reimbursable through a flexible health spending account or an HSA (Health Savings Account).

What to expect from your visit

Before your heart scan you will fill out a health questionnaire. During the test itself, you will lie down on the scanner bed and will be asked to hold your breath while the scanner takes two images of your heart. Each scan takes 10 to 45 seconds.

Every scan is analyzed and read by a cardiovascular imaging specialist for an in-depth and thorough interpretation. You will be mailed a comprehensive report of the scan results.

With your permission, we will forward your report to your primary care provider. We strongly encourage you to review the report with your physician and develop a plan to ensure your heart's health.