Every service at Apex Heart & Imaging is performed and interpreted by Dr. Akel personally — a board-certified cardiologist with subspecialty training in cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and echocardiography. No outsourced reads. No radiologist middleman. Just clear answers, fast.
A coronary CT angiography is a non-invasive scan that creates detailed 3D images of your coronary arteries — the vessels that supply blood to your heart. It can detect blockages, plaque buildup, and narrowing before a heart attack occurs, without the risks or recovery time of a cardiac catheterization.
The 2021 ACC/AHA Chest Pain Guidelines established CCTA as a Class 1A recommendation for the evaluation of stable chest pain — the highest level of clinical evidence. At Apex Heart & Imaging, Dr. Akel reads every CCTA personally, using CAD-RADS 2.0 structured reporting and Medis Suite cardiac analysis software.
A coronary calcium score is the fastest, most accessible cardiac risk test available. In 10 seconds of scanning, we measure calcium deposits in your coronary arteries — an early marker of plaque buildup that can predict your risk of a heart attack years before any symptoms appear.
Your score gives you and your doctor a number you can act on. A score of zero means very low risk. A high score means it's time to be proactive. Either way, knowing is better than not knowing — and at $199, there's no reason not to.
No IV. No contrast. No prep. No recovery. You arrive, scan for 10 seconds, and leave with a result the same day.
Who Should Get a Calcium ScoreA cardiology consultation with Dr. Akel is a comprehensive evaluation of your heart health. Whether you're experiencing symptoms, managing a chronic condition, or preparing for surgery, you get the full depth of a fellowship-trained imaging cardiologist — not a physician's assistant, not a fellow.
An EKG is performed at every visit. If additional imaging is needed, it can often be performed the same day. Dr. Akel answers every question you bring — write them down before you come.
Conditions We Evaluate & ManageAn echocardiogram uses sound waves to create real-time images of your heart — its chambers, valves, and pumping function. At Apex Heart & Imaging, every echocardiogram is performed and interpreted by Dr. Akel personally. The same cardiologist who ordered your echo is the one reading it.
Hospital rate for the same echocardiogram: $800–$2,000+. Our cash-pay rate is $399 — and you get your results the same day.
Types We OfferBefore many surgeries — bariatric, orthopedic, major general surgery — your surgeon requires a cardiologist to clear you for the procedure. We offer a 72-hour pre-operative clearance turnaround, guaranteed.
Fax us the referral. We contact your patient within 24 hours, see them within 72 hours, and have a clearance letter back to your surgeon's office before your deadline.
The same board-certified cardiologist. Dramatically less waiting. Significantly lower cost.
| What Matters to You | Apex Heart & Imaging | Hospital Cardiology |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first appointment | ✓ Within 5 business days — guaranteed | — Typically 4–8 weeks |
| Who reads your scan | ✓ Dr. Akel, board-certified imaging cardiologist | ~ General radiologist or fellow |
| Results turnaround | ✓ Same day read, 24-hour report | — 2–5 business days typical |
| Prior authorization for CCTA | ✓ We handle it — completely | ~ Your doctor's office handles it |
| Calcium score cash-pay price | ✓ $199 | — $400–$700 |
| CCTA cash-pay price | ✓ $599 | — $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Facility fees | ✓ None — ever | — Hospital facility fee on top of physician fee |
| Pre-op clearance turnaround | ✓ 72-hour guarantee | — 1–2 weeks typical |
| Cardiac MRI interpretation | ✓ Cardiologist-level CMR specialist | ~ Radiology read at most facilities |
| Urgent findings notification | ✓ Dr. Akel calls your physician same day | ~ Report sent; notification varies |
Our cash-pay packages combine the services most patients need into one appointment at a significant discount.
Our most comprehensive single-visit cardiac workup. Know your coronary artery status, discuss your risk with a specialist, and leave with a clear plan. Available for corporate wellness programs — contact us for group pricing.
The essential preventive cardiac check for adults 40+ who want a baseline before symptoms develop. No referral needed. Results same day. The most important 20 minutes you can spend on your heart health.
We see patients within 5 business days. We handle prior authorizations. We fax results in 24 hours.
Same-week appointments available. No hospital wait times. We accept most major insurance. Cash-pay pricing published and transparent.