Unlock Heart Health: Cardiac CT Scan Facts

You know, it’s never easy when you’re feeling something off with your heart. Maybe it’s a new chest pain that’s got you worried, or perhaps you’ve been feeling breathless more often. I see folks in my clinic with these concerns, and the first thing we want to do is get a clear picture of what’s going on. One of the ways we can do that is with a cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan, often just called a heart CT scan. It’s a really clever piece of technology that helps us look closely at your heart and its blood vessels.

Table of Contents

So, What Exactly is a Cardiac CT Scan?

Think of a cardiac CT scan as a super-smart X-ray. Instead of just one flat image, it uses multiple X-ray beams that circle around you. A powerful computer then takes all that information and builds incredibly detailed, three-dimensional (3D) images. It’s like getting a high-definition map of your heart, its major blood vessels, and even the structures nearby.

Sometimes, we might use a special dye, called an intravenous (IV) contrast, which is given through a small line in your arm. This dye makes your heart structures and blood vessels stand out even more clearly on the images. It helps us see the intricate details of your moving heart with remarkable clarity.

What Can We See with This Scan?

When we look at these images, we get a comprehensive view. We can see:

Your coronary arteries: These are the crucial blood vessels that supply your heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients. Think of them as the heart’s own fuel lines.
The chambers of your heart, the heart muscle itself, and your heart valves.
The pulmonary veins, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your lungs back to your heart.
The thoracic aorta (the main artery leaving your heart and running through your chest) and sometimes the abdominal aorta.
The pericardium, which is the protective sac that surrounds your heart.

Why Might I Suggest a Cardiac CT Scan?

There are quite a few reasons why a cardiac CT scan might be the right next step. It often gives us more detailed information than other types of imaging. I might recommend one if we need to:

Figure out what’s causing chest pain or shortness of breath.
Check your heart arteries for any buildup of calcium or plaque (a condition called atherosclerosis), or if they’re narrowed (stenosis) or blocked.
Take a closer look at your heart valves to see how they’re working.
See if there are any issues with your aorta, like an aneurysm (a bulge in the artery wall) or a dissection (a tear in the artery wall).
Plan for heart surgery, whether it’s open-heart or a less invasive robotic procedure.
Help guide procedures like transcatheter valve replacements.
Plan for arrhythmia ablation procedures (to treat irregular heartbeats).
Check for any complications after these kinds of procedures.
See if there’s a congenital heart problem – something you were born with.
Find and understand any tumor or mass in or near your heart.
Examine the pericardium for issues like fluid buildup (effusion) or calcification.

Your Care Team for the Scan

Even though I, as your family doctor, or a cardiologist (a heart specialist) might order the scan, a dedicated team carries it out. This usually includes:

Technicians: They’re the experts who operate the CT scanner and make sure we get the best possible images.
Nurses: They’ll often place the IV line if you need contrast dye and can give you medications if necessary.
Doctors (Radiologists): These specialists oversee the scan and then carefully interpret the images to provide a report.

You’ll usually have this scan done at a hospital or a specialized medical imaging center.

Getting Ready for Your Heart CT Scan

Preparing for your cardiac CT scan is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Food, Drinks, and Meds: The Day Before and Day Of

Eating: On the day of your scan, you’ll likely be asked not to eat for about four to six hours beforehand. Drinking water is usually fine, though.
Caffeine: Best to avoid coffee, tea, energy drinks, or any caffeinated sodas the day before and the day of your exam. Caffeine can speed up your heart, and we want it calm for the best pictures.
Diet/Energy Pills: Steer clear of these too, for the same reason as caffeine. If you’re unsure about any of this, just ask us!
Medications:
Let us know all the medications you’re taking, even over-the-counter ones or supplements.
If you take sildenafil (Viagra®, Revatio®) or similar medications for erectile dysfunction, please don’t take them the day before or the day of your exam. They don’t mix well with some medications we might use during the scan.
If you have diabetes, we’ll chat about how to adjust your medications for the test day. If you feel your blood sugar is low at any point, tell the team right away.
Feeling a bit anxious about tight spaces? It happens. We can discuss medication to help you relax if needed.

Important Things to Tell Us Beforehand

Before we start, it’s really important for the team to know if you:

Could be pregnant.
Have any allergies, especially to iodine, shellfish, or any medications.
Are currently undergoing radiation therapy.
Are over 60 or have a history of kidney problems. We might need a quick blood test to check your kidney function before giving any contrast dye.

What to Expect on Scan Day: A Walkthrough

Okay, so it’s scan day. Here’s what generally happens:

Getting Prepped

Change of Clothes: You’ll likely change into a hospital gown. Best to leave jewelry at home.
Heart Rate Check: Sometimes, we might give you a medication to gently slow your heart rate. A slower heart rate helps us get even clearer pictures.
IV Line: If you’re having contrast dye, a nurse will place a small IV line in a vein in your arm.
EKG Patches: We’ll clean a few small spots on your chest and put on little sticky patches called electrodes. If there’s some chest hair in the way, we might need to shave a tiny bit. These electrodes connect to an electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor, which keeps track of your heart’s electrical activity during the scan. It’s painless!
Positioning: You’ll lie on your back on a special table. This table will gently slide into the CT scanner, which looks like a big donut. You’ll be asked to raise your arms above your head for the scan. Don’t worry, your head and feet will stick out of the scanner – it’s quite open.

During the Scan Itself

The whole process, including prep, might take 30 to 60 minutes. But the actual scanning part? That’s usually quick, often less than 10 minutes.

You’ll feel the table move. The X-ray beam will circle around you, but it won’t touch you. You’ll hear some buzzing and clicking sounds from the machine – that’s normal.
If you get the contrast dye, you might feel a warm sensation spreading through your body as it’s injected. Some people also notice a metallic taste for a few moments. This is common and passes quickly.
The technicians will be in another room but can see you and talk to you through an intercom. They’ll guide you, perhaps asking you to hold your breath for very short periods. Staying still is key for clear images.

After the Scan

Once the team is happy with the images, they’ll remove your IV line. You can get dressed and usually head home. You can eat and drink normally and get back to your usual activities.

The only catch is if you had a sedative to help you relax – in that case, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

We’ll then arrange a time to discuss your results, either later that day or within a few days.

Are There Any Risks I Should Know About?

A cardiac CT scan is generally a low-risk procedure. But, like any medical test, there are a few things to be aware of.

Contrast Dye Reaction: Most people do fine with the iodine-based contrast dye. Occasionally, someone might experience mild itching, a rash, or feel a bit nauseous. These usually go away on their own. Rarely, a more serious allergic reaction (called an anaphylactic reaction) can happen, causing breathing difficulty. The medical team is always prepared for this and can treat it immediately. If you have diabetes or kidney disease, we might encourage you to drink extra fluids after the scan to help flush the dye out of your system. If you’re breastfeeding, the dye can pass into breast milk. You might want to pump and store some milk beforehand to use for a day or two after your scan.
Radiation Exposure: CT scans do use X-rays, which involve a small amount of radiation. We always use the lowest possible dose to get the needed images. The risk of any long-term effects from this low dose is very small. However, because X-rays can affect a developing baby, CT scans are generally not recommended if you’re pregnant, unless absolutely necessary. If a scan is essential, we take special precautions to protect your baby.
Medication to Slow Heart Rate: If you receive medication to slow your heart rate and you have conditions like asthma, severe heart failure, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), there’s a small chance it could affect your breathing. That’s why it’s so important to tell us about all your health conditions beforehand.

Understanding Your Cardiac CT Scan Results

Once the radiologist has reviewed your scans, they’ll send a report to me or the doctor who ordered your test. We’ll then go over it with you.

What “Normal” Looks Like

Your heart, its chambers, valves, and major arteries all appear healthy.
If you had a calcium score done as part of the scan, a score of 0 is great news. It means no detectable calcified plaque in your coronary arteries, and your risk of a heart attack is considered low.

What “Abnormal” Might Mean

The scan can show a variety of things, such as:

Coronary artery disease: This means there’s plaque buildup in your arteries, possibly causing narrowing (stenosis).
Your calcium score gives an idea of this. A score over 0 indicates some plaque. A score of 1-100 suggests mild evidence, 101-400 moderate, and over 400 suggests extensive evidence of coronary artery disease. We also look at a percentile score, which compares your score to others of your age, sex, and race.
Issues with heart function or how your valves are working.
Pericardial disease: This could be fluid around the heart (effusion) or inflammation of the heart sac (pericarditis).
A tumor or mass.
A congenital heart problem (something you were born with).
Problems with blood vessels, like an aneurysm (enlargement), a dissection (tear), or significant narrowing (stenosis or coarctation).

No matter what the results show, we’ll discuss what they mean for you and what the next steps might be.

Cardiac CT vs. Cardiac MRI: What’s the Difference?

Sometimes people ask about cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Both CT and MRI give us fantastic, detailed pictures, but they’re different tools:

Machine Feel: CT scanners are generally more open than MRI machines.
Time: An MRI scan usually takes longer than a CT scan.
How it Works: CT uses X-ray radiation; MRI uses magnets and radio waves (no radiation).
Noise: CT machines are quieter.
Contrast Dye: If contrast is used, CT uses an iodinated contrast, while MRI uses a gadolinium-based contrast.

We choose the test that’s best suited to answer the specific questions we have about your heart.

Take-Home Message: Key Things to Remember About Your Cardiac CT Scan

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s most important:

A cardiac CT scan gives us detailed 3D images of your heart and blood vessels.
It helps us diagnose a range of heart conditions, from blocked arteries to structural problems.
Preparation usually involves some food/drink restrictions and medication checks.
The scan itself is quick, and while you might feel a warm flush from contrast dye, it’s generally a comfortable test.
Risks are low, but it’s vital to discuss your allergies, medications, and any existing health conditions with us.
Your results will help us understand your heart health better and plan any necessary care. Understanding your cardiac CT scan results is a key step in managing your heart health.

When to Reach Out

After your scan, if you have any signs of a reaction to the dye (like a rash or trouble breathing) that you didn’t have at the imaging center, please get in touch with us or seek medical attention. Also, if you haven’t heard about your results within a few days, give our office a call.

It’s completely normal to have questions or feel a bit anxious about any medical test. We’re here to walk you through it. You’re not alone in this.