CT coronary angiography test

Your consultant may recommend a CT coronary angiography test if they suspect you have coronary artery disease (narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart). 

Common reasons for having CT coronary angiography include: 

• Atypical or unusual chest pain
• Assessment and evaluation of existing heart problems
• To confirm or get more information following a previous test or scan 
• Heart failure of unknown cause 
• To check for structural abnormalities in your heart
• To assess your heart before a procedure such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes for the procedure. You will be asked to remove any metal objects including jewellery, glasses, dentures, hairpins, or removable hearing aids, anything that could affect the images.

You will be asked to not eat or drink anything a few hours before due to the use of contrast material. If you have any allergies or are taking any medication, please inform your consultant beforehand. The consultant may ask you to avoid taking on the day before the exam any diet pills or caffeinated drinks (coffee, sodas, tea, energy drinks) as they may increase heart rate and affect the exam.

The test requires you to lie on a narrow table that slides in and out of a large, box-type machine, called a scanner.  A computer station processes the images in a separate control room where the technician will operate and monitor the scanner, whilst being in direct visual contact and is able to hear and talk to you.

Our 64 slice scanner is capable of very rapid 2D scans of all areas of the body with scan widths down to 0.5 millimeter. This means there is minimised discomfort for our patients due to very short scanning times.

The scanner also produces very detailed 3D images of the whole body including moving organs, bone and blood vessels and can assist in the early diagnosis of many conditions thus allowing for rapid treatment. It also provides highly detailed images of blood vessels and the heart and is used for finding narrowings in coronary arteries and for ruling in or out significant heart disease and artery disease or congenital abnormalities.

In order to get high quality images you may be asked to hold your breath, because any movement can create a blur on the image and the result might prove inconclusive. If you have a problem with holding your breath please inform the consultant. 

The CT coronary angiogram is a minimally invasive procedure, relatively simple and painless. However, due to the use of radiation, it should only be carried out only when necessary. Also, rarely there is the possibility of the patient to have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye.

A CT coronary angiography test is something that will be recommended by your Consultant, at which point our team will arrange an appointment for you. 
 
If you think you may need a CT coronary angiography test and you aren’t speaking to one of our Consultants yet, book an initial consultation using our online booking portal. If you need a CT coronary angiography test, they will arrange it for you. 

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in April 2024. Next review due April 2027.

CT (computerised tomography) coronary angiography scan Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

Having a CT Coronary Angiogram. Information for Patients Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust  

Coronary CT Angiography National Library of Medicine