A simple, affordable test to determine if your heart is healthy.

Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute offers an affordable, non-invasive test, called a coronary calcium scan, that will help you know your risk for coronary artery disease and empower you to take steps to prevent a heart attack.

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What is a coronary calcium scan?

A coronary calcium scan is a non-invasive test that measures the amount of calcium in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, called coronary arteries. This painless scan is done using computed tomography (CT), which uses X-rays and computers to create detailed images of the heart. The results of the test are given as a calcium score – the higher the score, the higher the risk of a heart attack.

The presence of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries means that plaque is starting to build up. Over time, plaque can rupture and cause a blood clot to form, further blocking the blood and oxygen supply to the heart. These blocked coronary arteries raise the risk of a heart attack.

A coronary calcium scan, priced at $60, is self-pay only, and is not billed to your insurance. The scan takes about 30 minutes to complete, with results delivered within approximately 48 hours.

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Northwestern Medicine locations offering this test:

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
675 N. Saint Clair St.
Galter Pavilion, Suite 19-100
Chicago, IL 60611
312.926.2514 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Lake Forest Hospital
1000 North Westmoreland Road
Main Entrance
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.535.8000 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Central DuPage Hospital
25 N. Winfield Road
Winfield, IL 60190
630.933.5000 (TTY: 711)

BLUHM CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Kishwaukee Hospital
1 Kish Hospital Drive
DeKalb, IL 60115
815.748.2975 (TTY: 711)

USNWR Best Hospitals - Heart & Vascular, 2023-24

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is ranked as a top ten program in the nation (No. 7) for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-2024. Our impressive U.S. News & World Report achievements are a reflection of the expert care provided and why patients choose to get their heart and vascular seconds opinions from Northwestern Medicine.

  • Highest ranked cardiology, heart & vascular surgery program in Illinois for 16 consecutive years
  • Highest available cardiology, heart & vascular surgery patient survival score since the metric was introduced
  • Rated “High Performing” (the highest rating possible) for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, heart attack, heart failure and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Delnor Hospital
300 Randall Road
Geneva, IL 60134
630.933.5000 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Huntley Hospital
10400 Haligus Road
Huntley, IL 60142
815.334.5566 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at McHenry Hospital
4201 Medical Center Drive
McHenry, IL 60050
815.334.5566 (TTY: 711)

Am I eligible for a coronary calcium scan?

You are eligible for a coronary calcium scan if you are over 35 years old, have not been previously diagnosed with heart disease, are not currently on a statin therapy, do not have a pacemaker, and have at least two of the following risk factors:

  • Male over age 45
  • Female over age 55
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Family history
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Physically inactive
  • Smoker

How do I schedule a coronary calcium scan?

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Glenview Outpatient Center
2701 Patriot Boulevard
Glenview, Illinois 60026
847.534.3278 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Grayslake Outpatient Center
1475 East Belvidere Road
Pavilion C, Suite 185
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
847.535.8000 (TTY: 711)

Northwestern Medicine 
Gurnee
6155 W. Grand Ave.
Gurnee, IL 60031
847.535.8000 (TTY: 711)

Northwestern Medicine 
Vernon Hills
6870 North Milwaukee Avenue
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847.535.8000 (TTY: 711)

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Valley West Hospital
1302 N. Main St.
Sandwich, IL 60548
815.748.2975 (TTY: 711)

Northwestern Medicine Sycamore Gateway Drive
1850 Gateway Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178
815.748.2975 (TTY: 711)

Find your Northwestern Medicine location

If you are a current patient with Northwestern Medicine:

To schedule a coronary calcium scan at any of our NM locations:

  1. Log onto the MyNM website or the MyNM app (available from the App Store or Google Play)
  2. Click “Menu” (on the MyNM website) or “Appointments” (on the MyNM app) and then click “Schedule an Appointment”
  3. Click “Preventive Care”
  4. Click “Coronary Calcium Scan” and then click “Continue.”
  5. Answer several questions about your risk factors, and schedule your appointment.

We encourage you to talk with your primary care physician if you have any questions about the coronary calcium scan prior to self-referring.

If you are not a current patient with Northwestern Medicine:

Please call one of the locations below to schedule a coronary calcium scan.

Coronary calcium scan showing a large buildup of calcium in the heart

Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute 
at Palos Hospital
12251 South 80th Avenue, Suite 1520
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463
708.923.4200 (TTY: 711)