Medically reviewed by Dr Pinakin V Parekh, General & Interventional Cardiologist (MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), GDFM (Singapore), FAMS (Singapore), FRCP (Glasgow)). Last Updated: 2026, 28 August
Founder & Medical Director of Trident Heart Centre
Dr Pinakin V Parekh is an interventional cardiologist in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in heart care. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heaart diseases, including procedures such as angiogram and angioplasty.
A CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) is a non-invasive scan that uses X-rays to create detailed images of your heart arteries. It helps your doctor see the blood vessels that supply your heart and detect any narrowing or blockages. The scan is quick, usually painless, and does not require inserting a catheter into the arteries.
The table below covers the difference between a CT coronary angiogram, coronary angiogram and a calcium score test.
| CT Coronary Angiogram | Coronary Angiogram | Calcium Score Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Purpose
|
Detects blockages, narrowing, and calcium in coronary arteries |
Directly visualizes arteries and can treat blockages with stents immediately (angioplasty) if any are detected during the screening. |
Measures calcium buildup only; early heart disease risk assessment |
|
Invasiveness
|
Minimally invasive; IV contrast injection |
Catheter inserted into artery at wrist or groin |
Non-invasive; simple scan |
|
Preparation
|
Avoid caffeine & certain meds, remove metal |
Fasting, review medications |
No special prep |
|
Comfort
|
Lying on scanner bed; awake |
Local anaesthesia at insertion site; mild sedation |
Lying on scanner bed; awake |
|
Duration
|
~15–30 minutes |
30–60 minutes |
~5–10 minutes |
|
Recovery
|
Usually goes home immediately; can resume normal activities and work the same day |
Short observation period; can resume light activities but avoid strenuous activity for the day |
No recovery needed; normal activities can continue immediately |
A CTCA is often recommended if you:
CTCA provides a clear view of your heart arteries and can help detect:
Our cardiologist combines the CTCA results with a calcium score test to assess the severity of calcification in your arteries.
A CT coronary angiogram is a quick, minimally invasive scan that lets you lie comfortably while X-ray images of your heart arteries are captured.
Before your scan, our team will guide you through a few important steps to ensure accurate results and your safety:
Step 1: A small IV line is inserted into your arm for contrast dye.
Step 2: You lie still on the scanner bed while the CT machine takes images of your heart arteries.
Step 3: The contrast dye flows through your blood vessels, highlighting any blockages or narrowing (you may feel a brief warm sensation).
Step 4: Once the images are captured, the scan is complete, the IV line is removed, and you are assisted off the scanner.
Once the scan is complete, the IV line will be removed, and you may rest briefly while our team checks your vital signs. Most patients can resume normal activities immediately. Your cardiologist will review the images and discuss your results, including any next steps or treatment recommendations.
CTCA is generally very safe, but there are some considerations:
You’ll usually get your results the same day or the next day, and Dr. Pinakin will review them with you personally.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort; you may feel a brief warm sensation when the contrast dye is injected.
The scan itself is quick, usually around 10–15 minutes.
Let us know beforehand; we can take precautions or adjust your care to ensure your safety.
Dr. Pinakin will discuss the findings with you and may recommend follow-up tests or an angioplasty to open the artery if needed.
Dr Pinakin uses current, evidence-based methods to carefully evaluate and treat heart conditions, helping you feel confident in your care.
Every patient is treated as an individual, with attention to your full health and lifestyle, not just the heart problem.
From assessment to treatment, screenings and procedures are conveniently coordinated in one place for a smoother, more reassuring experience.
