Heart disease and cancer have been the top two causes of death in the United States for years. According to the CDC, heart disease caused more than 680,000 deaths and cancer more than 613,000 in recent reporting. Lung cancer alone accounts for about one in five cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Because both conditions often develop silently, preventive imaging focuses on the heart and lungs first. This guide explains what a CT-based body scan includes, how calcium scores are read, and how CT compares with MRI.

Key Points

• A CT body scan centered on the heart and lungs targets the conditions behind the most deaths in the U.S.
• The coronary calcium score is an objective, actionable measure of heart risk; a score of 0 indicates very low near-term risk.
• The scanning portion takes under five minutes.
• A calcium score shows plaque burden, not whether an artery is blocked.

CT vs. MRI: Different Tools for Different Jobs

CT and MRI are both powerful, but they answer different questions. Coronary CT directly visualizes the coronary arteries and measures calcified plaque — the basis of the calcium score. Cardiac MRI is excellent for evaluating heart structure and function but does not provide the same direct view of coronary calcification.

For early detection, that difference matters:

• CT gives a fast, detailed look at the heart's arteries and the lungs.
• Full body MRI is slower and does not produce a coronary calcium score.

A fuller comparison is available in this guide to MRI vs. CT scans.

What a CT Body Scan Typically Includes

A heart scan with calcium score

A heart scan measures calcium in the coronary arteries, which reflects hardened plaque. The resulting coronary calcium score is an objective number linked to future risk of heart events, as the Cleveland Clinic explains. Details on this test are on the heart scan page.

A lung scan

Lung imaging looks for small nodules and other changes that may be addressed long before symptoms appear. See the lung scan overview for more.

A review of major organs

The scan also covers major organs and blood vessels so that abnormalities can be flagged for closer review or physician follow-up.

Reading a Calcium Score

• 0: No detectable calcified plaque. This is associated with very low near-term risk — sometimes called a "warranty period." Healthy habits and regular care still matter.
• 1–99: Mild plaque; early atherosclerosis is present. A clinician can help decide whether lifestyle changes alone or medication makes sense.
• 100–399: Moderate plaque and higher risk. Prevention typically becomes more structured, often including therapy and lifestyle changes.
• 400 and above: Extensive plaque and the highest risk tier. Expect focused risk-reduction goals and possibly follow-up testing.

A calcium score does not show whether an artery is blocked. It quantifies calcified plaque, which is exactly the information that supports earlier intervention.

What to Expect at a First Scan

1. Arrival: A patient navigator explains what will happen.
2. Positioning: You lie on the table and the technologist sets up the heart portion first, with simple breathing instructions.
3. Imaging: The heart images take just a few heartbeats, followed by the lung and body series — all completed in minutes.
4. Results: Radiology and cardiology professionals review the images, and you receive a report covering the calcium score, lung findings and notable organ findings, with next steps.

There's no prep, no needles and no need to change clothes.

Who Considers a Preventive Body Scan?

Advanced Body Scan suggests preventive imaging for adults 30 and older who want an objective look at heart and cancer risk, especially those with:

• A family history of heart disease or cancer
• Current or past smoking
• High cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes
• High stress or a high-risk occupation

The CDC notes that coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease, which is why measuring plaque is such a useful starting point.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Will the result change what I do? A calcium score is one of the most actionable numbers in preventive cardiology.
• Does it examine the right areas? Heart and lung imaging targets the top two causes of death.
• Is it practical? The scan itself takes minutes, compared with the 60 to 90 minutes many full body MRI services require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a body scan detect cancer early?

It can reveal small findings in the lungs and major organs before symptoms appear, though confirming a diagnosis requires further testing.

What does a calcium score show?

It measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. Higher scores mean more plaque and higher risk; a score of 0 is linked to very low short-term risk.

Is CT safe for screening?

Modern CT systems are designed to deliver diagnostic image quality while keeping radiation exposure as low as practical. Patients can discuss safety questions with the care team; the FAQ page covers common concerns.

How should I use my results?

Share the report with your physician and use it to guide lifestyle and medical decisions.