Heart Health Assessment

Our Heart Health Check is designed for patients who are currently free from any specific symptoms but may have a concern of premature coronary artery disease through any of the following:

• Aged 40 years and above
• Diabetic
• Hypertensive
• Hypercholesterolaemia
• 1st degree family member myocardial infarction < 65 years
• Previous radiotherapy to the chest
• Chronic inflammatory condition

It is worth noting that if a patient has three or more of the risk factors above, the eligible age for heart health check may be reduced to 30 years.

Our heart health check is designed specifically for patients who are free from any cardiac symptoms, but may be at risk of premature coronary artery disease through a combination of lifestyle and medical factors.

If you currently experience any heart symptoms such as chest pain, it is likely that a heart health check is not suitable, and that you would benefit from a more detailed diagnostic test such as a CT Coronary Angiogram. 

Please complete our enquiry form and we will be happy to advise you.

If you're experiencing chest pain, especially if it's new, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or sweating, seek immediate medical attention by calling 999.

During a Coronary Artery Calcium Score CT Scan, you will be briefly exposed to a small and highly focussed amount of radiation in the form of x-rays. For this reason, we would typically not use CT for pregnant patients unless absolutely necessary.

Whilst the exact radiation dose delivered during a scan is dependent on specific factors such as patient body size and anatomy, our state-of-the-art scanner generally uses lower doses than many other CT scanners in use.

The CT calcium score scan is designed to give approximately 5 times less radiation than a conventional CT scan of the same area of the body, using approximately the equivalent radiation dose as 6 months of natural background radiation.

Whilst the Queen Square Imaging Centre is recognised by all major UK based private medical insurers, the booking process for our heart health checks is a little different.  Our health checks have been created for self-funding patients only and is not applicable to patients wishing to use insurance. 

If you are insured and wish to have a CT Calcium Score scan, your insurer will be able to advise you on how to obtain a referral so that your scan be covered by your policy.

It is always beneficial if your GP is involved in your care, and a referral is always useful.  However, you do not need a referral for a heart health check. 

This package is suitable for patients to self-refer.  The easiest way to self-refer is to complete the enquiry form on this page.  We will use this to assess your suitability and produce the documentation we require to be able to offer you a CT Calcium Score scan.

Since CT Calcium Score scans involve the use of x-rays, we will need to reschedule your scan if there is any chance you could be pregnant.

Do not eat or drink anything that may contain caffeine (including tea, coffee, chocolate and fizzy drinks) from midnight the night before your scan.  You may continue to take any medication as normal.

When we arrange a heart health check appointment for you, you will be advised on how to prepare for your scan.  Our patient information leaflet on CT Coronary Artery Calcium Score scans is also available here.

The heart health check package includes a consultation with a consultant cardiologist who will give you the results of your scan.  This consultation is usually scheduled remotely for a convenient day after your scan appointment.

After your consultation, you will receive a copy of your report.  We can also share this with your GP.  We will not be able to provide you with a copy of your report until you have had your consultation.

The package price, which includes a CT Coronary Artery Calcium Score Scan and follow up consultation is £620.

Payment will be required on the day of your CT scan.  We accept payment by credit card, debit card or cash.