Cleerly FAQs

Getting to know Cleerly

• What is a Cleerly heart scan analysis?

  Cleerly analyzes images from a heart scan called a CCTA. Using FDA-cleared AI, our software measures the type and amount of plaque in your arteries that the human eye may miss. This gives your doctor a clear picture of your heart attack risk, so you can act early.
  

• What scan do I need before a Cleerly analysis?

  You will need a coronary CT angiogram, also called a CCTA. It’s a heart-specific imaging test that shows the blood vessels that supply the heart. You can typically get a CCTA at a hospital, outpatient imaging center, or cardiac imaging center.
  

• Is the Cleerly analysis safe?

  Yes. Both the CCTA scan and the Cleerly analysis are noninvasive meaning nothing enters your heart or arteries. The scan works entirely from outside your body. Talk to your doctor about any risks related to getting a coronary CT.

• Does a CCTA use radiation?

  Yes, a small amount. A CCTA exposes you to about as much radiation as you’d naturally encounter over two years.¹ Your doctor can help weigh this against your personal risk.

• What is the process for getting a CCTA? Will I need recovery time?

  At the start of the imaging test, your doctor will give you an IV with contrast. This contrast helps illuminate the heart’s arteries, making them more visible on the scan results. Some people feel warm or flushed as the contrast is injected, or have a metallic taste in their mouth. These sensations usually pass quickly.

  Your doctor may also prescribe a medication to keep your heart rate low during your imaging exam. This allows the imaging center to get clear images of your heart.

  The full imaging test procedure takes about 15 minutes. After the test, you can return to normal activities.

• What does the Cleerly heart scan analysis actually show?

  Cleerly identifies coronary plaque, the buildup in the heart’s arteries that causes heart disease, and tells your doctor how much you have and what kind. Plaque types vary in risk level. Cleerly gives your doctor a clear, comprehensive analysis to support informed decisions for your heart health.

• Why is plaque in the heart dangerous?

  Plaque is buildup in your arteries that can cause heart attacks. As plaque accumulates, it can narrow your arteries and limit blood flood. Some plaque is also unstable, meaning it can rupture without warning. That rupture triggers most heart attacks, which is why knowing your plaque score is crucial to your overall heart health.