Why early detection matters now

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and cancer is second, year after year. CDC data shows heart disease caused more than 680,000 deaths and cancer more than 613,000 in recent reporting, underscoring the need to find problems early, before symptoms appear. (CDC) Lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer death, responsible for about one in five cancer deaths nationwide, which makes a fast, clear view of the lungs essential. (American Cancer Society)

Advanced Body Scan focuses on the big killers first, with a full body scan that includes a heart scan with coronary calcium score, a lung scan, and a review of vital organs. Our latest generation CT machines are optimized for image clarity and patient comfort, and the scan takes under 5 minutes from first image to last, with simple, step in and step out ease.

CT body scan vs MRI full body scan, what’s the difference?

CT and MRI are both powerful, but they are not the same tool. When the goal is early detection of heart disease and a clear view of the lungs, CT is the gold standard. Coronary CT directly visualizes the coronary arteries and quantifies calcified plaque, which drives the coronary calcium score. Cardiac MRI is excellent for heart structure and function, but it does not provide the same direct visualization of coronary artery calcification that a CT heart scan does. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Bottom line for early detection:

• CT body scan gives a fast, crisp look at the heart arteries and lungs, the two areas linked to the top causes of death in the U.S. (CDC)
• MRI full body scans are slower and do not provide a coronary calcium score, so they miss a proven, actionable measure of heart risk. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

What a full body scan includes

Heart scan with coronary calcium score

A heart scan measures calcium in the coronary arteries. That calcium reflects hardened plaque. The result is your coronary calcium score, an objective number linked to future heart event risk. (Cleveland Clinic)

Typical calcium score ranges and what they mean

• 0: No detectable coronary calcium, very low short-term event risk. (jacc.org)
• 1 to 99: Mild plaque, early atherosclerosis is present. Treatment decisions are individualized. (American College of Cardiology)
• 100 to 399: Moderate plaque, higher risk, strong case for preventive therapy and lifestyle changes. (American College of Cardiology)
• 400 and above: Extensive plaque, highest risk tier, requires focused action with your clinician. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Lung scan

The lung scan looks for small, silent nodules and lung changes that can be addressed long before symptoms. This matters because lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. (American Cancer Society)

Vital organ review

The full body scan also reviews major organs and vessels to flag abnormalities that may need a closer look or follow up with your physician.

How fast is a CT body scan?

From check in to check out, the process is streamlined. The scanning portion itself is under 5 minutes, thanks to high-speed, latest generation CT systems and a team built to keep things moving smoothly for you. There is no prep, no needles, and you do not need to change clothes.

Who should get a body scan?

A preventive body scan is ideal for adults 30 and older who want a facts-first view of heart and cancer risk, especially if you have any of the following:

• Family history of heart disease or cancer
  
• Current or former smoking history
• Elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes
  
• High stress or a high-risk occupation
• You simply want to know first so you can act early

CDC figures show coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, which is why getting a read on plaque matters. (CDC)

First body scan, what to expect

1. Simple arrival
   You will be greeted by a patient navigator who will walk you through what is about to happen.
2. Quick positioning
   You lie on the table, and the technologist positions you for the heart scan first. Breathing instructions are easy to follow.
3. Fast images
   The scanner acquires high-resolution images in a few heartbeats. Then the lung and body series follow. The full set of images is completed in minutes.
4. Results review
   Your images are read by experienced radiology and cardiology professionals. You get a clear report that includes the coronary calcium score, lung findings, and a summary of any notable organ findings, along with next steps.

How to read a calcium score, in plain English

• Score 0: Your scan did not detect calcified plaque in your coronary arteries. This is associated with very low near-term risk, often called a “warranty period.” You still maintain healthy habits and follow your doctor’s guidance. (jacc.org)
• Score 1 to 99: Early plaque is present. This is your early heads up. Talk with your clinician about lifestyle steps and whether medication is appropriate based on your overall risk. (American College of Cardiology)
• Score 100 to 399: Moderate plaque burden. This typically moves prevention from “consider” to “commit,” with structured changes and therapy plans. (American College of Cardiology)
• Score 400 and above: Extensive plaque. Your team will set aggressive goals for risk reduction and may order follow-up tests. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

A calcium score does not directly show whether an artery is blocked. Instead, it quantifies calcified plaque that elevates risk, which is exactly the information you need to intervene early. (Cleveland Clinic)

Is a full body scan worth it?

If you value time, clarity, and taking control of your health, the answer is yes. Consider three questions:

• Will it change what I do next? A heart scan with a calcium score is one of the most actionable metrics in preventive cardiology. A score of 0 reassures. Elevated scores prompt specific next steps. (jacc.org)
• Does it look at the right problems? The scan targets the heart and lungs, the areas linked to the top two causes of death in America. (CDC)
• Is it fast and comfortable? The scan is complete in minutes, with a smooth, patient-friendly process.

Safety and comfort

Your comfort is the priority from start to finish. The environment is calm, the scan is quick, and the team is trained to guide you through each step. The technology is tuned to deliver the best image quality possible while maintaining a strong safety profile for routine screening.

Advanced Body Scan vs slow, general scans

• Speed that fits real life: Under 5 minutes vs the 60 to 90 minutes many full body MRI services require.
• Clarity where it counts: CT heart and lung imaging answers the most important early detection questions. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
• Actionable numbers: The coronary calcium score gives you a clear, shareable metric to guide next steps with your physician. (American College of Cardiology)

The plan, step by step

1. Book your scan at the nearest Advanced Body Scan center.
2. Show up as you are. No special prep or clothing change.
3. Get your results and a simple explanation of your calcium score, lung scan, and organ review.
4. Act on the data with your clinician, using your report to guide lifestyle and medical decisions.