A CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) is a non-invasive heart scan that gives us a clear picture of the blood vessels supplying your heart. It shows whether there is any narrowing or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), helping us assess your risk of heart attack or stroke in the next 5–10 years.
Over time, fat and inflammatory cells can accumulate within the artery walls. These deposits may harden with calcium and eventually narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. A CTCA uses a special contrast dye and advanced imaging to detect both hard (calcified) and soft (fatty) deposits, so we can identify potential problems early.
- If you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, and coronary artery disease is suspected.
- As part of a preventative assessment, if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a strong family history of heart disease
- To monitor heart health and guide treatment decisions if you already have cardiovascular risk
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends CTCA as the first-line investigation when coronary artery disease is suspected.
- Small sticky electrode patches are placed on your chest to record your heart rhythm (ECG).
- You will lie on a scanning table and be asked to hold your breath for short periods while the machine takes detailed X-ray images of your heart.
- A contrast dye is injected to highlight the coronary arteries.
- The scan usually takes less than 30 minutes, after which you can leave unless further tests are planned.
Your consultant will carefully review the results to decide whether any treatment or lifestyle changes are needed.
In summary: A CTCA is a safe, quick, and highly accurate way to understand your heart health, detect early signs of disease, and take proactive steps to protect your future wellbeing.
