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Private CT coronary angiogram in London, read by a cardiac radiologist.

A low-dose CT scan of the coronary arteries - including calcium score and full CTCA - for chest pain investigation and cardiovascular risk assessment. Read by a consultant cardiac radiologist.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private CTCA and calcium score cost in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£250-£500; a full CTCA £700-£1,300, reported in 48-72 hours.

Scan type Indicative range
Coronary calcium score (CT) £250–£500
CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) £700–£1,300
CTCA + calcium score bundle £800–£1,500
Cardiologist consultation + CTCA £900–£1,700
FFR-CT (Heartflow) add-on £500–£900
Follow-up CTCA (surveillance) £650–£1,200

Prices vary by clinic, whether a calcium score is bundled with a CTCA, whether FFR-CT is added, and whether a cardiologist consultation is included.

The problem

Chest pain deserves a clear answer, not a runaround.

CTCA is the NICE first-line test for stable chest pain of suspected cardiac origin, and a calcium score is a powerful risk marker. Choosing the right protocol - and reporting it well - is the job.

  • Calcium score or CTCA?

    A clinician can advise which answers your question - and whether both are worth bundling.

  • Worried about the dose?

    Modern ECG-gated protocols are typically 1-3 mSv - a small dose for a decisive answer.

  • Need a same-visit cardiologist?

    On a guided pathway, your CTCA is reviewed with a consultant cardiologist the same day.

What it shows

What a CTCA and calcium score are genuinely best at.

Cardiac CT earns its place for specific questions - chest pain, plaque, flow and follow-up.

  • Coronary calcium score

    An early risk marker: quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries (Agatston score).

  • Narrowed arteries (stenosis)

    Grades any narrowing in the coronary arteries, non-invasively.

  • Chest pain, low-intermediate risk

    The NICE first-line test for stable chest pain of suspected cardiac origin.

  • Plaque characterisation

    Distinguishes calcified, non-calcified and high-risk plaque features.

  • FFR-CT for functional flow

    Adds a computed fractional flow reserve to show whether a narrowing is haemodynamically significant.

  • Post-treatment follow-up

    Assesses stents and bypass grafts, and tracks plaque over time.

  • Family history screening

    Calcium score for people with a strong family history of early coronary disease.

  • Red flags - go to A&E

    Severe, crushing or radiating chest pain, breathlessness or collapse: call 999. CTCA is not for acute emergencies.

Cardiac CT types

Not all cardiac CT scans are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Coronary calcium score

    A quick, low-dose non-contrast CT to quantify calcified plaque (Agatston score).

  • CT coronary angiogram (CTCA)

    Contrast-enhanced ECG-gated CT of the coronary arteries for stenosis and plaque.

  • Combined calcium + CTCA

    A calcium score followed by a full CTCA in the same visit.

  • FFR-CT (Heartflow)

    A software analysis of the CTCA to compute fractional flow reserve without a catheter.

  • Chest-pain triple rule-out CT

    One scan covering coronary arteries, pulmonary arteries and aorta when the cause is unclear.

  • Cardiac CT for structural heart disease

    Detailed anatomy of valves, chambers and pre-procedural planning (e.g. TAVI).

  • Post-CABG surveillance CT

    Bypass graft patency and coronary anatomy after previous cardiac surgery.

  • Cardiologist-guided cardiac CT

    A cardiologist-led pathway where the scan is arranged and discussed in a single visit.

Safety and eligibility

Radiation, contrast, heart rate and the small print.

Cardiac CT is safe and well tolerated for the right patient. The dose is small on modern scanners, and the day-of preparation matters more than most people expect.

  • Ionising radiation

    CTCA uses ionising radiation. Modern low-dose ECG-gated protocols are typically 1-3 mSv; a calcium score is around 1 mSv.

  • Iodinated contrast

    CTCA needs an iodine-based contrast injection.

  • Heart rate control

    A beta-blocker is often given (oral or intravenous) to lower the heart rate to around 60 bpm for the sharpest images.

  • GTN spray

    A short-acting GTN spray under the tongue dilates the coronary arteries and improves image quality. It can cause a brief headache.

  • Caffeine avoidance

    Please avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks) for at least 12 hours before, as it raises heart rate.

  • Metformin and kidneys

    A recent eGFR is needed.

  • Pregnancy

    Cardiac CT is generally deferred in pregnancy unless essential.

  • Breathing instructions

    You will be asked to hold your breath for around 5-10 seconds while the scan is acquired. This is usually practised before the injection.

  • No sedation needed

    CTCA does not need sedation. The scanner is a wide, short ring - far easier for claustrophobia than an MRI tunnel.

Reading your report

A CTCA report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However detailed it looks, a CTCA report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant cardiac radiologist reviewing CT coronary angiogram images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that is normal.

If anything is unclear, ask the clinician who arranged the test to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details, the protocol used, and the clinical question behind the referral (chest pain, screening, follow-up).

  2. 02 Technique

    How the scan was done

    Calcium score protocol, CTCA protocol, contrast volume, heart rate achieved and dose applied.

  3. 03 Findings

    Segment-by-segment description

    Coronary segments described individually, calcium score with an age-and-sex percentile, plaque burden and stenosis graded (minimal, mild, moderate, severe).

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The Agatston score category and management guidance in brief - read this first. Your specialist discusses it in context.

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Frequently asked

Common questions about CTCA and calcium scoring.

Quick answers on cost, radiation, contrast, referrals and next steps.

  • What does a CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) show?

    A CTCA shows the coronary arteries in detail - any narrowing (stenosis), the amount and type of plaque (calcified or non-calcified), stent or graft patency, and the overall coronary anatomy. It is the NICE first-line test for stable chest pain of suspected cardiac origin.

  • What is the difference between a calcium score and a CTCA?

    A calcium score is a quick, low-dose non-contrast CT that quantifies calcified plaque only, giving an Agatston number. A CTCA uses contrast and ECG gating to image the full coronary anatomy, including non-calcified plaque and stenosis. The calcium score is a risk marker; a CTCA answers the question of whether there is disease and how significant it is.

  • How much does a private CTCA cost in London?

    A cardiologist-guided pathway with same-visit review is more.

  • Do I need a referral for a CTCA?

    Yes. Cardiac CT is a specialist test and should be justified by a doctor.

  • How much radiation does a CTCA involve?

    A modern low-dose ECG-gated CTCA is typically 1-3 mSv, and a calcium score around 1 mSv - comparable to under a year of natural background radiation. For the right indication, the diagnostic benefit clearly outweighs the dose.

  • Why does my heart rate matter for CTCA?

    Image quality depends on a slow, steady heart rate - ideally around 60 bpm. A beta-blocker is often given orally beforehand or intravenously in the scanner. This is why you are usually asked to avoid caffeine for 12 hours before.

  • Is iodinated contrast safe?

    For most people, yes. Reactions are uncommon but real, so previous contrast reaction, asthma and kidney function (eGFR) are checked before the scan. You will be observed briefly afterwards.

  • How quickly do I get the results?

    A consultant cardiac radiologist report is typically ready in 48-72 hours. FFR-CT (Heartflow) analyses take 5-7 days. On a cardiologist-guided pathway, results are discussed in the same visit.

  • Will my insurance cover a CTCA?

    Most policies cover CTCA and calcium scoring when clinically indicated and pre-authorised.

  • When would I need an invasive angiogram instead?

    If CTCA shows a severe stenosis, a high-risk lesion, or if functional testing suggests significant ischaemia, an invasive coronary angiogram - often with the option to treat with a stent - is the next step. CTCA excels at ruling disease out and grading moderate disease non-invasively.

Related tests

Looking for a different heart test?

In practice, in London

The London pathway for CT coronary angiogram

With CT coronary angiogram, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for CT coronary angiogram on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics - Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf - means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For CT coronary angiogram specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

It’s worth being realistic about what a private pathway for CT coronary angiogram can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.