Understanding your heart health often feels like a guessing game based on blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. While those metrics are important, a CT Calcium Score (also known as a Heart Risk Snapshot) allows us to move past "estimates" and look directly at the health of your arteries.
Think of it as a weather report for your heart: instead of just looking at the clouds (risk factors), we’re checking to see if it’s actually raining (plaque build-up).
How it Works
A CT Calcium Score is a specialised, low-radiation CT scan that takes a high-speed picture of your heart. It specifically looks for calcified (hardened) plaque in your coronary arteries.
When plaque builds up in your arteries, it eventually calcifies. Because calcium is dense, it shows up clearly on a CT scan. The scan results in a numerical score:
Score of 0: No calcium detected, suggesting a very low risk of a heart attack in the near future.
Higher Scores (1–400+): Indicate increasing amounts of plaque and a higher risk of heart disease.
Why This Matters More Than Cholesterol Alone
Heart disease is often a "silent" condition that develops over decades. Many people who suffer heart attacks actually have normal cholesterol levels.
A Calcium Score is valuable because it identifies hidden disease before you feel any symptoms. It provides a definitive "yes" or "no" as to whether plaque is actually forming, allowing you and your clinician to tailor your prevention strategy - whether that involves lifestyle changes, supplements, or medication.
The Everlab Advantage
At Everlab, we don’t just hand you a number and wish you luck. We integrate your Heart Risk Snapshot into your broader health profile.
Contextual Analysis: We interpret your score alongside your genetics, blood markers, and lifestyle factors.
No Guesswork: We provide a clear explanation of what your specific score means for your long-term health.
Actionable Steps: Your results include recommended next steps and prevention strategies to manage or reduce your risk.
Fast Facts
Duration: The scan takes only 10–15 minutes at one of our imaging partners.
Preparation: Simple. No contrast dyes, no injections, and no special fasting required.
Cost: $499 for Everlab members (inc. GST), $699 for non-members (inc. GST).
Who should consider this? If you have a family history of heart disease, are navigating mid-life, or simply want a more diagnostic look at your cardiovascular health than a standard blood test can provide, this scan is a powerful tool.
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