The short version. Cholesterol and blood pressure tell you about risk. A heart scan can show whether disease is actually there. Not every man needs one, and a CT scan needs a doctor's referral. This consultation is where that decision gets made, with someone who has looked at your whole picture.
How to get assessed
Book a Men's Health & Prevention consultation and tell us heart health is your focus. Your doctor reviews your existing results, blood pressure, ECGs or scans before you meet, assesses your cardiovascular risk in plain English, and refers you for a CAC score, CT coronary angiogram or advanced bloods such as ApoB and Lp(a) where clinically appropriate.
€199 with your own recent bloods · €349 with Quantum-arranged bloods. Scan fees are paid separately to the imaging centre, and your doctor will explain the options first.
Who it's for
A heart-focused consultation is for men who feel well but want to know their risk, and for men who already have results and aren't sure what they mean. It's particularly worth considering if you:
- Are over 40, or over 35 with other risk factors
- Have a family history of early heart disease (a father or brother before 55, a mother or sister before 65)
- Have raised cholesterol, a high Lp(a), high blood pressure, or blood sugar that's creeping up
- Have been offered a statin and aren't sure whether you need one
- Smoke now or did in the past
- Have had a "normal" health check but want a deeper look
- Already have a scan or blood result and want a doctor to explain it
If you have symptoms now
Chest pain, pressure or tightness, breathlessness, or fainting need urgent attention, not a booked consultation. Call 999 or 112, or contact your GP straight away.
The Quantum prevention framework
Prevention works best as a process, not a one-off test. When heart health is the focus of your consultation, your doctor follows the same five steps.
Your story
Symptoms, concerns, lifestyle, medication and family history.
Your numbers
Blood pressure and bloods, including ApoB, Lp(a) and HbA1c where useful.
Look directly
CAC score or CT coronary angiogram, only where it will change what you do.
A clear plan
Lifestyle priorities and, where appropriate, treatment such as a statin.
Stay on course
Re-measure at the right intervals so you can see it working.
CAC score: what it is
A coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a short, non-contrast CT scan of the heart. There's no injection and no preparation beyond lying still for a few minutes, and it uses a low radiation dose. It measures calcified plaque in the arteries that supply your heart, reported as a number (the Agatston score).
- 0: no calcified plaque detected. In a man without symptoms, this generally points to a low short-term risk.
- 1 to 99: mild plaque. Disease is present, and prevention matters.
- 100 to 399: moderate plaque, and a stronger case for treatment.
- 400 or above: extensive plaque, needing a careful plan and sometimes further investigation.
The score is most useful when your risk is borderline or intermediate and the decision about treatment, such as whether to start a statin, could go either way. What it can't see is softer, non-calcified plaque, which is one reason a score of zero isn't a free pass for everyone.
CT coronary angiography: what it is
A CT coronary angiogram (CTCA) is a more detailed CT scan of the heart arteries, taken after an injection of contrast dye through a vein in your arm. You may be given medication beforehand to slow your heart rate so the images are sharp. It shows both calcified and non-calcified plaque, and whether any artery is narrowed.
Because it involves contrast and a higher radiation dose than a calcium score, CTCA is used where there's a clear reason: to investigate symptoms, when the risk picture is high or unclear, or to look further after a high calcium score. Your doctor will check your kidney function and any allergies before referring you.
| CAC score | CT coronary angiogram | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Calcified plaque, as a score | Calcified and soft plaque, and any narrowing |
| Injection | None | Contrast dye into a vein |
| Radiation | Low dose | Higher than a CAC score |
| Typically used for | Refining risk in men without symptoms | Investigating symptoms, higher or unclear risk, or a high CAC score |
| Needs a referral | Yes | Yes |
When a scan isn't the right answer
Some men are better served by bloods and a conversation than by a CT scan. If your risk is clearly low, or clearly high enough that treatment is already indicated, a scan may not change anything, and we'll tell you so. Scans can also find things unrelated to the heart that need follow-up. We'll talk through the benefits and downsides before any referral.
After your scan or tests
Your results come back to your doctor. You can book a follow-up consultation (the cost is confirmed before you book) to go through them by video and agree a plan: lifestyle priorities, treatment where appropriate, a referral to a cardiologist if anything needs a specialist's opinion, and when to re-check. With your permission, we'll keep your GP informed.
Common questions
Do I need a GP referral to book?
No. You can book a Men's Health & Prevention consultation directly. If a scan is appropriate, the referral comes from your Quantum doctor.
Can I just book a CAC scan myself?
CT scans in Ireland need a referral from a doctor who has judged that the scan is justified for you. That's part of what a Men's Health & Prevention consultation is for, and it means someone is there to interpret the result with you afterwards.
How much does a scan cost?
Prices vary between imaging centres and between CAC and CTCA. Your doctor will give you options and expected costs before anything is booked. Some health insurance plans contribute towards scans, so it's worth checking your policy.
What if my score is high?
A high score is information you can act on. Your doctor will explain what it means, agree a plan to lower your risk, and arrange further tests or a cardiology opinion where needed.
I've already had a scan elsewhere. Can you review it?
Yes. Upload the report when you book and your doctor will go through it with you, alongside your other results.
Who will I speak to?
A fully qualified doctor from Quantum's medical team, registered with the Medical Council of Ireland.
This page is general health information, not individual medical advice. Whether any test, scan or treatment is right for you can only be decided by a doctor who has assessed you. Our services are not for use in a medical emergency: if you need urgent help, call 999 or 112.