A CT calcium score detects calcium deposits within the heart's arteries, which may indicate the presence of heart disease.

The result helps refine long-term cardiovascular risk and can provide additional information beyond routine blood pressure and cholesterol assessment.

A CT calcium score may be considered by adults with cardiovascular risk factors, particularly where there is family history of heart disease, raised cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or uncertainty about long-term risk.

It is often recommended as part of a consultant-led preventative cardiac assessment.

A CT calcium score does not directly measure artery narrowing, but identifies calcified plaque within the coronary arteries, which helps estimate long-term coronary risk.

A higher calcium score may indicate a greater likelihood of underlying coronary artery disease and can guide further cardiovascular assessment where appropriate.

A calcium score of zero usually suggests no detectable calcified plaque at the time of scanning, although results are always interpreted alongside wider cardiovascular risk factors.

Higher scores indicate increasing levels of heart artery calcification and are interpreted alongside age, symptoms, and overall cardiovascular risk.

Yes, but radiation exposure is low and similar to the amount of natural background radiation received over approximately six months.

Because the scan is brief and highly targeted, exposure is kept to a minimum.

Each test looks at the heart in a different way

Electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart’s electrical activity and can identify rhythm abnormalities or signs of previous strain on the heart.

Echocardiography uses ultrasound to assess heart structure, valve function, and how well the heart pumps blood.

CT calcium scoring measures calcium within the coronary arteries, helping to detect calcified plaque and refine assessment of future cardiovascular risk.

These tests are complementary rather than interchangeable, and the most appropriate investigation depends on your symptoms, medical history, and cardiovascular risk profile.