CT cardiac angiography is a specialised scan that produces high-resolution images of the heart and blood vessels. Doctors prefer this scan to determine if there is any blockage or other heart-related issues. The test is a safe and painless way to detect heart issues early. The cost of this test is a concern for many people, especially those without insurance.
A CT cardiac angiography is a specialised type of CT scan that evaluates the blood vessels in the heart using special dyes. It helps in the early detection of blockages in the coronary arteries, which are solely responsible for supplying blood to the heart. Not only this, but it also identifies blockages that cannot be detected through other methods of scanning, such as the electrocardiogram (ECG).
At an affordable price of CT cardiac angiography, your doctors can find out the abnormal areas located within the coronary arteries, which are at high risk of developing into blockages. This procedure also provides detailed insights into heart-related ailments, enabling doctors to determine the best course of action for treatment.
CT cardiac angiography requires a multi-slice CT scan machine with a minimum of 64 slices, the latest version of the software, and a cardiologist. There are very few diagnostic centres with these underlying conditions. Thus, undergoing this test in India is quite costly.
The cost of a CT coronary angiography test typically ranges between Rs. 9,000 and Rs. 15,000 in India. However, the actual price of this angiography depends on the diagnostic centre, the city you reside in, and other factors.
The cost of CT cardiac angiography varies and is generally higher at premier healthcare centres. Several factors influence the cost of a scan. Some of them are:
● Type of Angiography
Angiography is a method used to assess the circulation of blood through various parts of the body. There are multiple types of angiography, and coronary angiography is one of the most common and widely used types. The cost of angiography depends on the procedure performed and the associated complexities.
● Type of Facility
A CT cardiac angiography price depends on the facility used for performing the process, with the cost usually being higher at a private diagnostic centre than at a hospital. The costs of this treatment at diagnostic centres and hospitals vary depending on the infrastructure, quality of services offered, pricing, and availability of service staff and experienced doctors.
● Fees of Doctor
The costs of CT cardiac angiography also include your doctor's fees and the person who is carrying out the procedure. If a doctor is experienced and popular, the charges will be at a premium rate in comparison with those who are relatively less experienced and are still in the learning process.
● Insurance
If you avail yourself of the insurance coverage for carrying out the CT cardiac angiography, it will lower your out-of-pocket expenses for undergoing the scan process.
● Additional Tests
In certain cases, your doctor might prescribe additional tests such as routine blood tests, chest X-rays, and an ECG to assess your health condition. For this, the overall cost of CT cardiac angiography will increase automatically.
CT cardiac angiography is usually done for treating several diseases, such as:
● Unstable angina
● Coronary artery disease
● Congenital heart disease
● Abnormal stress test
● Valvular heart disease
● Acute MI
● Left ventricular dysfunction
CT cardiac angiography is thus an expensive procedure, but it offers excellent and fast results that enable doctors to make better decisions. However, it varies based on where you get the test done, the cost of the hospital's facilities and whether or not you have insurance. Before the test, it is always a good idea to compare prices and ask questions.
The actual costs of this treatment may be the primary issue, but aside from that, early heart problem detection can save lives. However, analysing the condition of heart health must be the top priority.