Why Heart Screening Matters
Heart disease often develops silently. Many patients may have plaque buildup or early cardiovascular disease long before symptoms appear.
Advanced cardiac imaging can help:
- Detect disease earlier
- Identify hidden cardiovascular risk
- Support preventive care strategies
- Guide treatment decisions
- Provide more personalized cardiac care
Earlier detection may help patients take proactive steps before more serious cardiac events occur.
Advanced Cardiac Imaging Services
Our advanced imaging programs are designed to help patients and physicians make more informed decisions with greater precision, whether you have symptoms, risk factors, or simply want a clearer understanding of your cardiovascular health.
From identifying plaque buildup and narrowing of the coronary arteries to evaluating blood flow and cardiovascular risk, our non-invasive cardiac imaging services deliver deeper insight beyond traditional testing — helping support earlier intervention, personalized care, and more confident next steps.
Coronary Calcium Scoring (Cardiac CT Calcium Score)
A Coronary Calcium Score is a fast, non-invasive CT scan that measures calcified plaque within the coronary arteries. The exam helps assess your risk for coronary artery disease and future cardiac events — often before symptoms develop.
This screening may be beneficial for patients with:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking history
- Elevated cardiovascular risk factors
A calcium score can help guide discussions about lifestyle changes, preventive care, such as medication, and treatment planning.
Transthoracic Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
A Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) is a non-invasive ultrasound exam that evaluates how the heart moves and functions in real time.
TTE imaging can help assess:
- Heart valve function
- Heart chamber size
- Blood flow through the heart
- Pumping strength and heart function
- Structural abnormalities
This exam plays an important role in diagnosing and monitoring many cardiac conditions.
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRI uses powerful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create highly detailed images of the heart’s muscle, chambers, valves, and blood flow without radiation exposure.
Cardiac MRI may be used to evaluate:
- Heart muscle function
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart disease
- Scarring or damage after heart attack
- Inflammation or structural abnormalities
This exam provides comprehensive information about both the structure and function of the heart.
Coronary CTA (CCTA)
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) is an advanced CT scan that creates highly detailed images of the coronary arteries and heart structures. Unlike many traditional cardiac tests, CCTA allows physicians to directly visualize both hardened (calcified) and soft (non-calcified) plaque buildup and narrowing within the arteries.
CCTA can help evaluate:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Chest pain and cardiac symptoms
- Arterial narrowing or blockages
- Congenital heart abnormalities
- Overall coronary anatomy
This non-invasive exam provides valuable information that may help reduce the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures.
CCTA with FFR-CT
Fractional Flow Reserve CT (FFR-CT) adds computerized blood flow analysis to your existing CCTA images without requiring another scan or additional radiation. By evaluating how narrowing within the coronary arteries may impact blood flow to the heart, FFR-CT helps provide a more precise assessment of coronary artery disease severity.
FFR-CT can help physicians determine:
- Whether a blockage is restricting blood flow
- Which patients may benefit from intervention
- Whether invasive testing may be avoidable
This advanced approach supports more informed treatment planning and individualized patient care.
CCTA with AI Plaque Analysis
Using advanced AI software, this technology analyzes plaque within the coronary arteries from a standard CCTA exam to help identify:
- Total plaque burden
- Types of plaque present
- Areas of higher-risk plaque
- Early signs of coronary artery disease
This detailed analysis helps your physician tailor individual treatment and track changes over time.
AI plaque analysis
Traditional cardiac testing often focuses primarily on whether arteries are blocked. AI-enabled plaque analysis goes further — providing a more comprehensive assessment of plaque burden, plaque composition, and cardiovascular risk.
This deeper level of analysis may help physicians personalize treatment strategies and identify heart disease earlier — even before significant blockage occurs.
Image courtesy of HeartFlow
Michael G. Coords, MD, FSCCT
Dr. Coords is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist specializing in advanced, non-invasive cardiovascular imaging. He completed his residency at Northwell Health, where he served as Chief Resident, followed by specialized fellowship training at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
At RadNet, he leads expansion of advanced heart screening, cardiac CT and MRI, and AI-powered analysis across the outpatient network. A peer reviewer for leading medical journals, Dr. Coords also serves as Co-Chair of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) Health Policy and Practice Committee, helping shape national standards that expand patient access to early, accurate cardiac care.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Coronary Calcium Score is a quick, non-contrast screening scan that measures hardened (calcified) plaque within your coronary arteries to estimate your overall risk of heart disease.
A Coronary CTA (CCTA) uses an IV contrast dye to take detailed 3D pictures of the coronary arteries, allowing physicians to see both hardened and soft (non-calcified) plaque, measure exact artery narrowing, and add advanced AI plaque or blood flow (FFR-CT) analysis when needed.
AI plaque analysis uses advanced artificial intelligence software to evaluate plaque seen on a CCTA exam. This technology helps identify the amount and type of plaque present, including plaque that may not yet be causing significant blockage.
The goal is to provide physicians with deeper insight into cardiovascular risk and support more personalized treatment planning.
Not always. Some cardiac imaging exams may be recommended for patients with risk factors such as:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking history
- Elevated cardiovascular risk
Other exams may be ordered to evaluate symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or irregular heartbeat.
Exam times vary depending on the type of study. A Coronary Calcium Score takes only about 10 minutes, a Coronary CTA typically takes 15 to 30 minutes in the scanner room, and an Echocardiogram or Cardiac MRI generally takes 30 to 45 minutes. The actual image acquisition times are much less.
Your care team will provide exact preparation instructions and timing details before your appointment.
Take a More Proactive Approach to Heart Health
Understanding your heart health starts with clearer answers. From preventive screening to advanced diagnostic imaging, RadNet’s cardiac imaging program is designed to help detect cardiovascular disease earlier, support more informed decisions, and guide patients toward the right next steps with confidence.
Why Choose RadNet for Cardiac Imaging?
Advanced Imaging Technology
Our centers offer advanced cardiac CT, MRI, ultrasound, and AI-enabled imaging technologies designed to provide highly detailed cardiovascular assessment and more precise analysis.
Specialized Cardiac Radiology Expertise
Cardiac imaging exams are interpreted by board-certified radiologists, including specialists in advanced cardiovascular imaging.
AI-Enhanced Cardiac Analysis
Our cardiac imaging program incorporates advanced AI-powered plaque analysis technology to provide deeper insight into coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk.
Comprehensive, Non-Invasive Cardiac Evaluation
Our advanced cardiac imaging exams provide detailed heart assessments without surgery or invasive procedures, helping patients access sophisticated diagnostic answers with the comfort and ease of an outpatient visit.
Convenient Access Across Our Network
With outpatient centers nationwide, RadNet makes advanced heart imaging convenient and accessible, offering flexible scheduling, a comfortable non-hospital setting, and fast results shared directly with your physician.
