SHAPE Center FAQs
In about 50 percent of cases, the first symptom of heart disease is a heart attack or sudden death. Relying solely on risk factors misses many individuals who are at risk. In fact, a study found that 77 percent of individuals who suffered a heart attack had normal LDL cholesterol levels. 32 percent of women with apparently low risk factors have calcium in their coronary arteries, increasing their risk of heart disease. There is therapy available to slow or even halt progression of coronary artery disease, if detected early.
These scans are usually not covered by insurance. For billing questions for the coronary calcium scan, please call 310-423-8000, option 1. Results will be reviewed with your own doctor or, for an additional charge, you can review the results of your scan with an imaging cardiologist. The cost of the carotid artery intima-media thickness scan is $250.
Yes, you can self-refer. No physician prescription is required. Call 310-423-8000 to schedule an appointment. You will have to provide the name of a physician who will discuss the results with you and who will provide any necessary treatment recommendations.
Coronary calcium scans are performed on the Cedars-Sinai campus, usually at our Pavilion Imaging location. Find more information on directions and parking.
Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) studies are performed on the 5th floor of the South Tower. Please check in at the 5th Floor, South Tower Lobby, 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
CIMT and Coronary Calcium Scans are offered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The coronary calcium scan takes about 10 minutes and the CIMT study takes about 20 minutes.
There are no preparations for either study.
Neither study involves any injections.
Usually, the results are reviewed with your doctor although a cardiologist imaging specialist can be available to go over the results of your coronary calcium scan and discuss what it means for you for an additional charge. You can go over the results of your CIMT test with your personal physician or we can refer you to a cardiologist at the Heart Institute.
If your study shows plaque buildup in the arteries supplying your heart, diet changes, exercise and, if necessary, medications may significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack. The earlier such plaque is detected, the more effective intervention in the form of dietary changes, increased exercise and medications will be.