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Nurse and patient undergoing heart checks

Private Heart Scan (CT Calcium Score)

Find out your risk of a heart attack before symptoms appear

  • No GP referral required
  • Appointments within days
  • Results reviewed by specialists
  • From £495

Heart disease doesn't always come with warning signs. For many people, plaque can build up in the arteries over many years without causing noticeable symptoms. A CT Calcium Score provides a clear picture of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries, helping you better understand your heart health and whether further assessment or preventative treatment may be appropriate.

What is CT calcium score scan?

This test is a non-invasive way for our cardiologists to assess your heart for coronary artery disease. It provides detailed information and pictures of your heart's arteries. During the scan, your doctor will look for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This excess of calcium can cause the arteries to narrow, therefore increasing the risk of a heart attack. The result of this test is your coronary calcium score.

A CT calcium heart scan can provide a first indication that you may be at a higher risk of having a heart attack, even before you show any symptoms. Detecting a build-up of calcium early means that modern treatments and lifestyle changes can make all the difference and help you avoid a future heart attack and other forms of vascular disease, such as stroke.

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of heart attacks. Coronary artery disease occurs when plaques build up within the walls of your arteries causing them to narrow (atherosclerosis). The plaques are deposits in the artery walls made of fat, cholesterol, and calcium and it’s the calcium in these plaques that can be detected by the use of a CT calcium heart scan. You may also be interested in our health screening or if you wish to see a specialist, we have private consultant cardiologists available for appointments.

CT Scanner

Who should have this scan?

This scan may be right for you if:

  • You're over 40
  • You have diabetes
  • You're overweight
  • You have high cholesterol
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You're a smoker or former smoker
  • You have a family history of heart disease
  • You want reassurance despite having no symptoms

What is a good calcium score?

0

No detectable calcium

Risk: Very low

1–99

Mild plaque

Risk: Low

100–399

Moderate plaque

Risk: Increased

400+

Extensive plaque

Risk: High

 

Your consultant will explain what your score means for your age, lifestyle and family history, and whether further investigation or treatment is recommended.

How much do our cardiology services cost?

Cardiology ServicesPrice From
CT Calcium Heart Score£495
Consultation with Cardiologist£250
Electrocardiogram (ECG)£105
Echocardiogram (ECHO)£399

Meet our Consultant Cardiologists

Our consultant cardiologists specialise in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of a wide range of heart conditions, offering expert private cardiology care with access to advanced diagnostic testing and personalised treatment plans.

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Dr Ayyaz Sultan

Consultant Cardiologist with over 15 years' experience
Newton-le-Willows, Liverpool City Centre, Manchester City Centre

A European-accredited Consultant Cardiologist with 15+ years’ experience, trained at the University of Edinburgh, NHS specialist at Stepping Hill Hospital, and exclusive private partner, he is an expert in artery-related heart disease, advanced heart scans and preventative cardiology, delivering gold-standard, consultant-led cardiac care.

Find out more
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Dr David Lai

Consultant Cardiologist with over 15 years' experience

We have experience of delivering 5 star services to over a 1,000 patients every year.

This is why our patients rate us Excellent on Trustpilot.

Pall Mall Nurses at Newton-le-Willows

Why choose Pall Mall?

At Pall Mall Medical, we combine advanced diagnostic imaging with expert clinical care. We offer fast appointments, experienced consultant radiologists, modern CT technology and clear, timely reporting, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your heart health without long waiting times.

  • No NHS waiting lists
  • Consultant-led reporting
  • CQC regulated
  • Appointments within days
  • Finance available
  • Thousands of diagnostic scans performed
  • Trusted by patients across the North West

Our cardiology clinic location near Manchester

What Our Patients Say

Dr Sultan the cardiologist was excellent. He was kind, reassuring, and took the time to listen to all of my concerns without making me feel rushed. He explained everything clearly, provided a balanced plan, and was very understanding. I left the appointment feeling informed, reassured, and confident in the next steps. I would highly recommend him.

Booked a private appointment with a cardiologist as I have been on the nhs waiting list for 12 months. Dr Sultan made me feel listened to and explained everything in detail. He explained what tests I would need to have and what the diagnosis could be and gave reassurance.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a CT Calcium Score scan?

A CT Calcium Score scan is a quick, non-invasive imaging test that measures the amount of calcified plaque within your coronary arteries. Calcium deposits are an indicator of coronary artery disease, even if you have no symptoms. The scan provides a calcium score that helps assess your risk of developing heart disease and can guide decisions about preventative treatment or further investigation.

Who should consider a CT Calcium Score scan?

A CT Calcium Score scan may be suitable if you:

  • Are aged 40 or over

  • Have a family history of heart disease

  • Have high cholesterol or high blood pressure

  • Have diabetes

  • Smoke or have smoked in the past

  • Are overweight or have other cardiovascular risk factors

  • Want reassurance about your heart health before symptoms develop

If you're unsure whether the scan is right for you, our team can help determine the most appropriate diagnostic option.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book a CT Calcium Score scan directly with Pall Mall Medical without a GP referral. Our team will ensure the scan is appropriate for your clinical needs before your appointment.

How long does the scan take?

The scan itself usually takes around 10 minutes, although you should allow approximately 30 minutes for your appointment. The procedure is quick, painless and does not require any recovery time.

What happens during the scan?

During the scan, you'll lie comfortably on the CT scanner while a series of detailed images of your heart are taken. You may be asked to briefly hold your breath while the images are captured to ensure the best possible image quality. No injections or contrast dye are required for a standard CT Calcium Score scan.

What does my calcium score mean?

Your calcium score reflects the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries.

  • Score 0: No detectable calcium and a very low risk of significant coronary artery disease.

  • Score 1–99: Small amounts of plaque are present, indicating mild coronary artery disease.

  • Score 100–399: Moderate plaque build-up, suggesting an increased risk of future cardiovascular events.

  • Score 400 or above: Extensive plaque build-up, which may indicate a higher risk of coronary artery disease and the need for further assessment.

Your results should always be interpreted alongside your age, medical history and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Is a CT Calcium Score scan accurate?

A CT Calcium Score scan is one of the most effective ways of detecting calcified plaque within the coronary arteries. It provides valuable information about your future cardiovascular risk and can help identify heart disease before symptoms occur. While it does not detect every type of plaque or replace other cardiac investigations, it is a highly valuable tool for preventative heart health assessment.

Is the scan safe?

Yes. A CT Calcium Score scan uses a low dose of radiation and is considered a safe and well-established diagnostic test. Our experienced radiographers follow strict protocols to ensure radiation exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable while maintaining excellent image quality.

What happens if my calcium score is high?

A higher calcium score suggests a greater amount of calcified plaque within your coronary arteries. Depending on your results, further investigations, medication or lifestyle changes may be recommended to help reduce your future cardiovascular risk. If appropriate, our clinicians can discuss the next steps and refer you for additional assessment.

Will I receive my results quickly?

Yes. Your scan will be reviewed by an experienced consultant radiologist, and you'll receive a detailed report explaining your calcium score and its significance. If any follow-up investigations or treatment are recommended, we'll guide you through the next steps.

Can I drive home afterwards?

Yes. A CT Calcium Score scan does not require sedation or anaesthetic, so you can usually drive home and return to your normal daily activities immediately after your appointment.

Our Blogs

Why The Smith’s drummer, Mike Joyce decided to undergo a private Heart CT scan
Drummer from The Smith’s, Mike Joyce came down to our Pall Mall hospital in Newton-le-Willows for a Calcium Score CT Scan to check his heart health in aid of World Heart Day.
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