You have been booked in to have a procedure called a CT Cardiac Calcium Score.

If you have questions about the procedure itself, please call us to speak with our Radiologist.

Why are you having this procedure?

This is a very accurate, non invasive method to gain very  detailed images of the heart and the amount of calcium in and around your cardiac blood vessels. The scan shows the amount of hardening in the artery walls (called atherosclerosis).  The more calcium there is, the higher the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Prior to this procedure please advise us if you have;

• Atrial fibrillation or an irregular heart beat

• Are taking verapamil or diltiazem

• You are pregnant (or possibility of pregnancy)

• Unwell (especially if you have an infection, cough or cold) in the current COVID-19 climate we will defer your appointment until you are well. 

About this procedure

The best advice for this scan is to relax as much as possible. We keep you informed of what we are doing at all times.  If you have read this information in advanced of your scan you will be better prepared.

The best quality images for a CT Calcium Score are gained when your heart rate is slow, ideally between 50-60 beats per minute.  We take the scan of your heart between your heart beats—so the slower your heart the more accurate and successful the scan will be.   We use ECG monitoring to choose the best time to take the scans.

As mentioned the goal heart rate is between 50-60 beats per minute.  This is why we enquire about your resting heart rate when you are being booked.  From this information we then decide if you require a premedication to assist in slowing your heart rate further.

On the day of your scan if  your heart rate is still elevated we may need to give you medication called metoprolol to help slow your heart rate further.

Medication called GTN spray is given to you to help open the coronary arteries for better imaging.

You will be given specific breathing instructions to follow during this scan.

What does this procedure involve?

A referral from your GP or Cardiologist                     

We will then contact you to discuss the preparation and arrange an appointment date and time for this procedure.

The duration of this appointment is usually 20 –30 minutes.  But is dependent on your heart rate on the day, if your heart rate is higher then your procedure may take longer.

The actual scan time is very short usually around 2 minutes.

The procedure

Prior to this procedure you will have your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations checked.

When your heart rate is slow enough we will move you to the CT scanning room, and attach the ECG dots to your chest.

Usually there is no need for injections or further mediations to be given– unless your heart rate needs to slow further.

Immediately prior to scanning we will give you GTN spray under your tongue.  This can give you a headache, and lower your blood pressure (caution when standing up following this examination as you may feel lightheaded).

Breathing instructions will be given  to you throughout the scan.  It is important that you follow these as they assist in slowing your heart rate and keeping your still while we are scanning.

 Instructions to prepare for procedure

• Do not consume any caffeinated drinks for 24 hours prior to procedure (including coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeinated soda’s and chocolate)

• Do not take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra for 72 hours or 3 days prior to this procedure (these medications can react to the medications we give you during the procedure)

• You can eat and drink normally leading up to this procedure, keeping in mind to avoid caffeinated food and drinks

• No vigorous exercise 24 hours prior to the procedure

• You may need to collect a prescribed medication and follow the directions on the back of this pamphlet to prepare for this procedure.  This is discussed with you when you are booked

 Post procedure

• Once the scanning is complete and images have been reviewed you can move back to the CT preparation area

• You can change back to your clothing

• Once changed to your clothing you will have your blood pressure and pulse rechecked.  Once these recordings are satisfactory, you are able to leave

• We do recommend that you have someone to drive you after this procedure.  The medication (GTN) that we give you can cause you to be lightheaded or dizzy for a period after this procedure, this is why we don’t want you to drive.

Following this procedure

• Avoid over exertion for the remainder of the day, this is mainly for patients who have had premedication

• Do not drive following this procedure until you have returned to your normal baseline function

• Resume any medications that you may have withheld for this procedure

• The result of your examination will be electronically sent to the referring Doctor and your GP or family doctor

• Our formal reporting is completed by a Cardiologist.

If you are prescribed a pre-medication

When you are booked for this procedure we decide whether you require a premedication to slow your heart rate down.  If you do require this medication a prescription for a medication called Ivabradine is arranged.

This is only available for collection from:

1. Vivian Pharmacy, 95 Vivian Street, New Plymouth

2. Robertsons Pharmacy, 94 High Street (this branch only), Hawera.

There will be an associated dispensing charge of $10 per patient, payable to the Pharmacy on collection of medication.

Three tablets of ivabradine will be dispensed to you. 

The first tablet is taken 24 hours prior to your scan,

the second tablet the night before your scan and the

final tablet on the morning of your scan.

It is safe to take this medication with most other cardiac medications with the exception of Diltiazem or Verapamil where you will need to be cautious if using ivabradine if already have a slow heart rate.

Sedation Info

If you require sedation for this procedure you will need to discuss this in advance with your GP. If this is required they can provide you with a prescription for a sedative to collect from your chemist. You will need to bring this prescription with you to your appointment and to have advised us in advance that you require sedation as additional monitoring of will be required prior to your procedure and after your procedure.

You will also require someone to drive you home, and stay with you for the next 24 hours

Side effects of some sedation medications can last for up to 24 hours following administration.

You may not remember some of the information discussed, this is a normal side effect.

For the next 24 hours you should not;

• Drive or operate any vehicles or machinery

• Drink alcohol

• Make any important decisions,

• Sign any legal documents

• Travel unaccompanied

If you have any questions prior to your appointment, please call us to speak to our nurse.