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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause CT angiograms use an X-ray machine to take pictures of your heart, you will be exposed to some radiation during the test. The amount of radiation varies depending on the type of machine used. With the most common type of X-ray machines, the radiation you're exposed to during the test is about the same as you're naturally exposed to over three years. There's a small risk that you could develop cancer from the radiation you receive during a CT angiogram. The risk is increased if you've had more than one CT scan.
Because of the radiation-exposure risk, you shouldn't have a CT angiogram if you're pregnant.
It's also possible that you could have an allergic reaction to the dye used in the procedure. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about having an allergic reaction.
- Cardiac CT. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ct/ct_all.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Gerber TC, et al. Noninvasive coronary angiography with cardiac computed tomography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Bluemke DA, et al. Noninvasive coronary artery imaging: Magnetic resonance angiography and multidetector computed tomography angiography: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Committee on Cardiovascular Imaging and Intervention of the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention, and the Councils on Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease in the Young. Circulation. 2008;118:586.
- Gerber TC, et al. Ionizing radiation in cardiac imaging: A science advisory from the American Heart Association Committee on Cardiac Imaging of the Council on Clinical Cardiology and Committee on Cardiovascular Imaging and Intervention of the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention. Circulation. 2009;119:1056.
- Control your risk factors. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=581. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
