Risks

Heart scans use X-ray technology, which exposes you to radiation. The amount of exposure is generally considered safe — about the same amount of radiation you're naturally exposed to in a year.

Some medical facilities and walk-in centers advertise heart scans as an easy way to measure your risk of a heart attack. These scans don't require a referral from a doctor and might not be covered by your insurance. Also, there are less expensive blood tests and blood pressure monitoring that might offer similar information.