Imaging
What a CT coronary angiogram actually shows
A plain-English guide to the scan that looks directly at the arteries supplying your heart — what it involves, what the pictures mean, and what happens next.
Draft — not yet approved for publication
2 references still need to be verified against PubMed or the issuing organisation before this article can go live.
If you have been sent for a CT coronary angiogram, you are having a scan that looks directly at the arteries supplying your heart muscle. It takes minutes, you stay awake, and you go home the same day.[1]
What happens on the day
- A small cannula goes into a vein in your arm for the contrast dye.
- You may be given medication to slow your heart rate slightly, which makes the pictures sharper.
- You lie on the scanner bed and hold your breath for a few seconds while the images are taken.
What the pictures show
The scan shows whether there is any narrowing in the coronary arteries, and whether there is calcium or softer fatty plaque in the artery walls. Both matter: narrowing can explain chest pain, and the amount of plaque helps estimate future risk.[2]
What happens next
Results are usually discussed with the team who requested the scan. Depending on what is found, that may mean reassurance, medication to reduce risk, or a further test.[3]
What does the evidence say?
- CT coronary angiography is recommended in current UK guidance as a first-line test for people with stable chest pain that may be cardiac in origin.
- It is particularly good at ruling out coronary artery disease when the scan is normal.
- Findings are interpreted alongside your symptoms and overall risk factors, not in isolation.
References
- 1.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Recent-onset chest pain of suspected cardiac origin: assessment and diagnosis (CG95). 2016. View guidance
- 2.[REFERENCE TO BE VERIFIED BEFORE PUBLICATION]
- 3.[REFERENCE TO BE VERIFIED BEFORE PUBLICATION]
Evidence status
- Medically reviewed by
- Dr Prashant Bamania, Consultant Radiologist
- Last medically reviewed
- 29 August 2026
- Next review due
- 29 August 2027
- Evidence last searched
- 29 August 2026
This article is general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Where guidance is cited it reflects UK practice. Always speak to your GP or specialist about your own care.