Concierge cardiac imaging · London
Private coronary calcium score in London, the earliest marker of heart disease.
A low-dose CT that measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries — one of the strongest predictors of future cardiac events, and a decisive input for statin decisions.
Why patients choose us
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Cardiac radiologists
Every calcium score is reported by a consultant cardiac radiologist — not a general reporter.
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Low-dose CT, no contrast
A non-contrast ECG-gated acquisition, typically around 1 mSv — six months of natural background.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private coronary calcium score costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A standalone calcium score in our network: £250–£500, reported in 24–72 hours. Bundled with cardiology: £400–£750.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coronary calcium score CT | £250–£500 | 15 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Calcium score + cardiologist consult | £400–£750 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Calcium score + full CTCA bundle | £800–£1,500 | 45 min | 48–72 hrs |
| Repeat calcium score (surveillance) | £250–£500 | 15 min | 24–72 hrs |
| Comprehensive CV risk workup + calcium | £550–£1,000 | 60–90 min | 3–5 days |
| Family screening calcium score | £250–£500 | 15 min | 24–72 hrs |
Prices vary by clinic, whether cardiology interpretation is included, and whether a full CTCA is bundled. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Risk calculators give a probability. A calcium score gives you a picture.
QRISK and ASCVD are useful, but they estimate. A calcium score measures what is actually in your coronary arteries today — and reclassifies most people at intermediate risk.
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Statin decision on the fence?
A zero score at intermediate risk often justifies deferral; a high score often justifies starting.
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Strong family history?
A calcium score is one of the few tests that directly measures whether the disease has already begun.
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Worried about the dose?
A calcium score is around 1 mSv — comparable to six months of natural background radiation.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to signed report — often within days.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~15 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Family history, risk factors, cholesterol numbers, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether a calcium score alone answers the question, or if a full CTCA is worth bundling. If a scan is not the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next week, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and quick check
A short check on pregnancy and prior cardiac history. No fasting, no heart-rate control, no caffeine restriction — this scan is simple.
- 05
On the day
In the scanner
You lie on your back with ECG leads. No contrast injection. The scan itself takes only a few seconds during a breath-hold.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
Consultant cardiac radiologist report in 24–72 hours, with your Agatston score and age-and-sex percentile. Routed to your GP or cardiologist for the statin conversation.
Typical end-to-end: 2–5 days. Cardiologist-guided pathway: same visit.
What it shows
What a coronary calcium score is genuinely best at.
The calcium score earns its place for specific questions — risk stratification, family history, statin decisions and surveillance. These are the ones we arrange most.
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Agatston score (0–400+)
A quantified number for calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, benchmarked against your age and sex.
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Plaque burden
How much calcified atherosclerotic plaque you already carry — a direct measure of coronary disease, not a proxy.
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Family-history screening
A first-line test for people with a strong family history of early coronary disease.
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Cardiovascular risk stratification
Reclassifies risk far more accurately than QRISK or ASCVD alone, especially at the intermediate band.
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Guides statin decisions
A zero score at intermediate risk often justifies deferral; a high score often justifies starting.
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Early detection
Picks up disease long before symptoms — often decades before a first cardiac event.
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Athlete screening
A calm, objective look at coronary calcium in middle-aged endurance athletes weighing long-term risk.
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Red flag — severe chest pain
Severe, crushing or radiating chest pain, breathlessness or collapse: call 999. A calcium score is not for acute emergencies.
Calcium score protocols
Not all calcium score pathways are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard calcium score (Agatston)
A quick, low-dose non-contrast ECG-gated CT with an Agatston number, per-artery breakdown and age percentile.
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Combined with CTCA
A calcium score followed by a full contrast CT coronary angiogram in the same visit, when anatomy also matters.
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Family-screening protocol
A structured pathway for adults with premature coronary disease in first-degree relatives.
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Surveillance (every 3–5 years)
Repeat scoring at sensible intervals to track progression and titrate prevention.
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Statin-decision-support protocol
Where risk is intermediate and the statin decision is uncertain, a calcium score reclassifies most patients up or down.
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Post-treatment surveillance
Following lipid-lowering therapy or lifestyle change, a repeat score anchors the conversation about progression.
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Paediatric familial hypercholesterolaemia
A specialist-led pathway for young adults with genetic dyslipidaemia and a very strong family history.
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International guideline-based interpretation
Reports written to SCCT, ACC/AHA and ESC prevention standards — usable anywhere your specialists sit.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Calcium score partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every cardiac CT clinic in our network.
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CQC-registered, with a current good or outstanding rating
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Modern low-dose CT scanners with ECG gating for cardiac protocols
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Reported by consultant cardiac radiologists (SCCT-endorsed reporting)
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Results routed to a cardiologist for interpretation and the statin conversation
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SCCT-endorsed calcium scoring protocols with age-and-sex percentiles
Safety and eligibility
Radiation, preparation and the small print.
A calcium score is one of the simplest cardiac tests to prepare for: no contrast, no fasting, no caffeine restriction and no heart-rate control. The dose is small on modern scanners.
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Low radiation
A calcium score is typically around 1 mSv — comparable to six months of natural background radiation.
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No contrast
The calcium score is a non-contrast scan. No iodine injection, no eGFR check needed for the score itself.
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No fasting
Eat and drink normally beforehand, unless the scan is bundled with a full CTCA on the same visit.
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Caffeine avoidance not required
Unlike CTCA, coffee and tea beforehand do not affect a calcium score.
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Heart-rate control not required
No beta-blocker is needed for a calcium score alone — a real advantage over full CTCA.
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Pregnancy
Cardiac CT is deferred in pregnancy unless essential. Tell us and we will discuss alternatives.
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Rare metallic artefacts
Metallic implants, pacemaker leads or previous stents can create small artefacts but rarely prevent scoring.
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Breath-hold instructions
You will be asked to hold your breath for around 5–10 seconds while the scan is acquired. We practise this first.
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Interpreted with context
The score alone is not a diagnosis. It is read alongside your risk factors, lipids and family history.
Reading your report
A calcium score report is short. The number matters most.
However clinical it looks, a calcium score report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The score alone is not the whole story — it belongs alongside your risk factors and lipids.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and the indication
Your details, the protocol used, and the clinical question behind the referral — risk assessment, family history or statin decision.
- 02 Technique
ECG-gated non-contrast CT
The calcium scoring protocol, ECG-gating parameters and total radiation dose applied.
- 03 Findings
Agatston score per artery, total, age percentile
Calcium quantified in each coronary artery (LM, LAD, LCx, RCA), a total Agatston score, and an age-and-sex percentile.
- 04 Impression
Read this first
Your risk category, the statin threshold implication, and management guidance in brief. Your specialist discusses it in context.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about coronary calcium scoring.
Quick answers on cost, radiation, referrals, surveillance and next steps.
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What does a coronary calcium score show?
A calcium score quantifies calcified atherosclerotic plaque in your coronary arteries as an Agatston number. It is one of the strongest available predictors of future cardiac events and a decisive input for statin decisions. It does not show soft (non-calcified) plaque or grade stenosis — a full CTCA does that.
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What is the Agatston score?
The Agatston score is a weighted sum of the area and density of calcified plaque across your coronary arteries. Broadly: 0 is very reassuring, 1–99 is mild, 100–399 is moderate, and 400+ is extensive coronary calcification. It is always interpreted with your age-and-sex percentile.
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How is a calcium score different from a full CTCA?
A calcium score is a quick, low-dose non-contrast CT that quantifies calcified plaque only. A CTCA uses contrast and ECG gating to image the full coronary anatomy, including soft plaque and stenosis. The calcium score is a risk marker; a CTCA answers whether there is disease and how significant it is anatomically.
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How much does a private calcium score cost in London?
A standalone calcium score is typically £250–£500 in our network. Bundled with a cardiologist consult it is £400–£750, and combined with a full CTCA it is £800–£1,500. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral for a calcium score?
Yes. Cardiac CT is a specialist test and should be justified by a doctor. We can arrange a fast-track private GP or cardiologist referral if you do not have one, and route the result back to whoever you would like to interpret it.
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How much radiation does a calcium score involve?
A modern calcium score is typically around 1 mSv — comparable to six months of natural background radiation, and considerably less than a full CTCA (1–3 mSv).
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Does a calcium score detect soft plaque?
No. A calcium score only quantifies calcified plaque. Younger patients with early, non-calcified (soft) plaque can have a zero score and still have disease. If soft plaque is a concern, a full CTCA is the right test.
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How often should I repeat a calcium score?
A common cadence is every three to five years, or sooner if there is a specific reason (a new risk factor, a change in therapy, or a strong family event). A zero score often supports a longer interval; a moderate or high score anchors prevention.
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Will my insurance cover a calcium score?
Coverage varies. Some policies fund calcium scoring where clinically indicated (family history, statin decision, chest pain workup); others treat it as a screening test paid privately. We check with Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Healix before booking.
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When should I see a GP instead?
If you have new or worsening chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations or collapse, do not book a calcium score first — see your GP or A&E. Calcium scoring is for asymptomatic risk stratification; symptoms need a different pathway.
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