Coronary Calcium CT Scan

Prevent a heart attack with this easy test

With this simple screening, you can find out if you have the beginnings of heart disease before the trouble begins. That’s good news! This information can prepare you to take steps to prevent a heart attack.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

It's fast, painless and could save your life. You can prevent a heart attack for $95. A provider order is required.

Call to schedule your appointment today: 308-675-5015

Identify Your Risk Before Life-Threatening Symptoms Occur

Usually, heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease) is not discovered until a person develops symptoms such as chest pain, an abnormal response to a stress test, has a heart attack or a sudden cardiac death occurs.

Arteriosclerosis causes heart disease. It is a gradual process, present but silent until a fairly advanced stage. The presence of even small amounts of calcification (or calcium) in the coronary artery wall is a definite indication of the presence of arteriosclerotic plaque.

Our multi-slice CT scanner detects the presence of calcium in your coronary arteries. If calcium is found, the amount of calcification correlates to the level of heart disease and your risk of a heart attack. This technology allows us to detect the extent of heart disease before symptoms appear, so you can take steps to slow the progression of heart disease and prevent a life-threatening cardiac event.

What can I Expect?

The screening is painless and requires no injections. You wear your everyday clothes during the test. The special CT scanner uses the lowest dose of radiation for this procedure.

A technologist will place EKG leads on your chest to synchronize the scan to your heartbeat. You will hold your breath for about 15 seconds while the imaging system takes as many as 100 pictures of your coronary arteries.

Should I Have this Screening?

Yes, if you are a male or a female age 40-70, have not had a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart disease, and have one or more of the following major risk factors for developing heart disease:

  • Total cholesterol over 200
  • LDL "bad" cholesterol over 130
  • HDL "good" cholesterol below 40
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • History of blocked arteries in the legs or pain in the calves when walking
  • History of stroke
  • Family history of premature coronary disease (parent, grandparent or sibling with heart attack or other coronary event before age 65)

Is it expensive?

No. The test is $95 at Grand Island Regional Medical Center. That’s far less than the consequences of an untreated heart condition. And the peace of mind it can bring or awareness that you need to take steps to prevent a heart attack is extremely valuable information for you and your family.