CAS Scan
What is CAS?
The Coronary Artery Calcium Scan or CAS captures images of your heart in between heart beats. The calcium score generated from the images determines the presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in your heart vessels. Presence of such plaque in the early stage of heart disease will not cause obstruction but the plaque could rupture suddenly resulting in a heart attack.
The CAS Scan is able to detect heart disease at its very early stage before any symptoms are apparent, even before your stress test indicates any abnormalities.
What does the CAS Scan entail?
The scan is completed within seconds. All you have to do is to relax, lie back on a movable couch and let the radiographer guide you. A safe procedure with no risk involved. No injection and very low radiation exposure. The scan results will be ready for review within the hour.
Who should have a CAS Scan?
For those who have no symptoms but have one or more of the following risk factors :
- Age: Female > 45, Male > 40
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- Overweight
- Inactive lifestyle