​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Broward H​eart Project Offers Free Cardiac Tests

​Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2023, at the request of County Commissioner Mark D. Bogen, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners funded a $10 million pilot project to offer free preventive cardiac tests to qualified Broward County residents at local hospitals. The Broward Heart Project runs through 2026.​​​​​​​​​


To be eligible for a FREE preventive test as part of this project, you must:

  • Be a Broward County resident
  • Be 45-70 years of age
  • Meet certain risk criteria or requirements, as established by a panel of doctors
  • ​Be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance (even though the preventive test is free, all participants are required to have health insurance in case follow up care is needed)
Whether you are eligible to participate in ​the Broward Heart Project or not, it is important for everyone, especially adults ages 45 – 70, to take appropriate steps for preventive health care. Consult with your personal health care professional to determine whether and which preventive care is appropriate for you. ​

The Broward Heart Project pilot program is funded by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Tests are conducted by local hospital partners, including Broward Health, Cleveland Clinic, Holy Cross Health and​ Baptist Health. Eligibility screening and the application process are managed by SydCura, a division of Community Care Plan, which is owned by Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, two trusted leaders in our local health care community. ​

To get started, click on the link below. It will take you to the SydCura website for the Broward Heart Project to begin the screening and application process.

Get Started
What is the test?
The Broward Heart Project provides funding for a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), which is essentially a CT scan of the heart. The CCTA screening test uses an iodine-based intravenous contrast and a low level of radiation to show plaque in your cardiac arteries. An alternative test, which may be available to otherwise eligible participants who are allergic to iodine or have other disqualifying criteria, is a CT calcium score test. A calcium score test does not require an injection of an iodine-based solution. However, a calcium score test only detects calcified (hardened) plaque, and does not show soft plaque.​​

Who administers the tests?
The Broward Heart Project is funded by Broward County and the tests are administered by local partners including Broward Health, Cleveland Clinic, Baptist Health and Holy Cross Health.

Why is this test important?
Mammograms and colonoscopies are routinely given to detect breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the leading cause of death in the U.S. is from cardiovascular disease and two tests that can help identify heart disease are often not covered by medical insurance. The cardiac CT screenings provided by the Broward Heart Project can help determine whether you have blocked arteries. Appropriate risk assessment and treatment for cardiovascular diseases can save lives.​




Additional Information

A blockage in your heart arteries can lead to a heart attack and death. If a person learns they have a blockage in their heart arteries, steps can be taken, in consultation with the person’s physician, to reduce the risk and treat that person. By getting appropriate treatment and taking other preventive measures, a person can significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack.​
As with any medical test, there is always a risk. For example, if a person is allergic to iodine, which is in the contrast material used in the CCTA test, that person can suffer an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can be as minor as a rash or as major as causing death. Participants who are allergic to iodine do not qualify for the CCTA test, but may qualify for a calcium score test. In addition, like X-rays, the CCTA and calcium score tests include exposure to radiation and the related dangers of such exposure.

As with any medical testing, persons seeking to take the CCTA or calcium score test are encouraged to consult with their personal physician who can further explain the benefits and risks posed by the test.​


You will be contacted if you qualify and your test will be scheduled at a participating hospital or medical facility. Due to the limited availability of CT machines in Broward County, it may take several months to get your test scheduled. Every participant will be required to sign several documents, including appropriate acknowledgments of the risk, releases and limitations of liability, and permission to share medical information. ​
Share the results with your personal health care provider. The test results may help you and your doctor determine whether you suffer from or are at risk of heart disease, and any recommended prevention strategies or courses of treatment.​

Local Partners



​This website is for information only and is not medical advice. The Broward Heart Project is not a substitute for professional medical care. Medical questions should be directed to medical professionals; do not delay seeking medical advice because of this website or the Broward Heart Project. Broward County makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, concerning any medical test or treatment.​​​