A cardiac CT scan, also called coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), is how many heart health journeys begin. Cardiac CT is a quick, noninvasive imaging exam that provides precise information for your cardiologist and primary care doctor. The results from this test help your care team develop a customized plan to prevent heart disease and limit the likelihood of complications and cardiac events.
What is a cardiac CT scan?
During this 10-minute scan, a contrast dye is injected to highlight the blood vessels in your heart. Then a CT scanner uses X-rays to create detailed images of your heart and coronary arteries.
Whether you have family history of heart disease, risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or you’ve had a previous cardiac event, a cardiac CT scan can provide guidance and direction to your care team on the best way to protect your heart health.
Cardiac CT + Heartflow Analysis
Here at Georgia Heart Institute, we offer cardiac CT + Heartflow Analysis at our Gainesville and Braselton locations. This process creates a dynamic and personalized 3D model of your heart. It shows how disease may be impacting blood flow to your heart, as well as identifying the amount, location and type of plaque present. Capturing this incredible level of detail can reduce or eliminate the need for other, more invasive imaging, like diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
Georgia Heart Institute has performed thousands of Heartflow Analysis procedures, and we follow national standards to provide consistent high-quality results.
What are the benefits of Cardiac CT + Heartflow Analysis?
- Detailed and accurate: Heartflow Analysis is not only less invasive than traditional cardiac catheter-based imaging, but it’s also clinically proven to align with more invasive imaging. It builds a personalized 3D model of your arteries, providing comprehensive information for your care team to guide clinical decisions.
- Non-Invasive: Since Heartflow Analysis uses CT technology, there’s no need for anesthesia or invasive testing.
FAQs
A cardiac CT scan may help any patient who needs imaging to assist with heart disease prevention and treatment. Common reasons your physician may order a cardiac CT scan include:
- Family history of heart disease
- Chest pain
- Risk factors for heart disease
- Previous cardiac event, like a heart attack
- Preparation for heart surgery
- A next step after another test, such as a stress test or coronary calcium score
Because a cardiac CT scan offers a detailed view of your heart and coronary arteries, your cardiologist and care team will be able to determine a specific treatment plan.
If your cardiac CT scan shows little to no sign of heart disease or plaque buildup, you will leave with peace of mind. You may be prescribed medication or lifestyle changes if there is early but preventable evidence of heart disease.
If further intervention is needed, such as angioplasty, stenting, heart surgery or another procedure, the cardiac CT scan will provide specific information to your care team, distinguishing the exact location of any blockages or plaque build-up, and the type of plaque present. This reduces the need for additional diagnostics and imaging before your procedure.
- Cardiac calcium scoring and cardiac CT scan are both quick, noninvasive types of imaging that can help identify heart disease. The difference between them is that a cardiac calcium score provides a simple score that indicates your risk of heart disease and future cardiac events, like a heart attack. More diagnostics may be needed to determine a treatment plan after a coronary calcium score if your score is above zero.
- Cardiac CT scan offers a detailed view of your heart and the coronary arteries, providing a specific description of any plaque building up. It will help your care team develop a plan for your next steps and any procedures that may be necessary.
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure in which a catheter is threaded into the body through an artery, then guided to the heart to identify build-ups or blockages. It is often a necessary step before a procedure, such as coronary artery bypass or balloon angioplasty and stenting. However, a cardiac CT scan + Heartflow Analysis may eliminate the need for diagnostic cardiac catheterization, giving a cardiologist or surgeon all the information they need to address the issue.
Schedule your appointment
Your doctor may schedule an appointment for you through our physician scheduling system or you can schedule an appointment by calling 770-219-7666 (option 1). You can also book an appointment with a cardiologist near you.
