What’s it for?
A computerized tomography (CT) scan is a test that uses x-rays to produce a detailed 3-D view of your heart and the surrounding blood vessels. The test does not require entering the body (it is noninvasive).
A cardiac CT scan provides images of your heart in “slices”, so your cardiologist can easily see details of its structure.
A coronary CT angiogram provides images of the blood vessels that supply your heart, allowing your cardiologist to determine if coronary arteries are becoming blocked.
How it’s done
These tests are performed in a specialized room that houses the CT scanner.
An IV is inserted into your arm. You then lie down on a table. Electrodes are attached to your chest to monitor your heart’s electrical activity during the test.
The table moves into a donut-shaped scanner. Contrast dye is administered through your IV.
The CT scanner uses x-rays to take pictures of your heart and/or coronary arteries. Since the contrast dye blocks x-rays, it enables doctors to see blood vessels and other specific structures in and around your heart.
CT scans take from 10-15 minutes.