Types of CT Heart Scans

CT (computed tomography) scans combine X-ray with detailed cross-sectional images of bones, tissue and any other part of the body. Your doctor may order one or more types of CT scan to look for evidence of heart disease or other problems. These non-invasive tests can check for symptoms of heart disease or other heart problems before symptoms appear. Follow all of your doctor's instructions regarding how to prepare for the test to ensure you do not do anything that will interfere with the results.

Coronary Calcium Scan

• The coronary calcium scan helps doctors see if you have calcium deposits in the arteries that serve your heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. Calcium deposits are a significant risk factor for heart problems, according to WebMD. This test does not require the injection of contrast dye. WebMD notes that even though a negative result indicates a reduced risk, some soft plaques can go undetected.

Coronary CT Angiography

• A CTA imaging tests looks at your blood vessels and heart to check for fat and calcium deposits. It requires a iodine contrast injection---you might also receive medication that affects your heart rate to produce better images. This type of angiogram is less invasive that the standard one that involves inserting a catheter into the coronary arteries but the latter still remains the "gold standard" for detecting severe narrowing of the arteries, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This test shows the most benefit for determining if coronary blockage is triggering chest pain---particularly in individuals who have a high risk of heart disease.

Full Body CT Scan

• A full body CT scan looks at three areas---the heart, lungs and pelvis.This test can check for artery deposits and aortic aneurysms---bulges in the arteries with the potential to rupture. This test cannot pinpoint the exact location of the diseased part of the artery and using this test for detecting heart disease is controversial, according to WebMD.