Coronary calcium scoring is a CT scan that looks at how much calcium is in your coronary arteries. Calcium in your heart’s arteries can tell you if you have a buildup of fatty substance (plaque) that can narrow or block them. Increased calcium buildup and narrowing of your arteries can reduce blood flow and greatly increase your risk of a heart attack.
“For patients who are asymptomatic, coronary calcium scoring is a screening tool that can save your life,” said Dr. Akhtar Amin, an interventional cardiologist at Med Center Health. “It is essentially a CT scan that determines how much calcium has been deposited in the blood vessels supplying the heart, called coronary arteries. The scan reveals how much blockage somebody might have in their coronary arteries.”
Understanding the results:
Coronary calcium scoring is based on a range from zero to more than 1,000. A normal calcium test score is zero, also called a negative scan. This score means there was no calcification found in your heart’s arteries. A positive test means the scan found evidence of calcium in your coronary arteries. This means you have coronary artery disease (CAD). If you have a positive result, the score will tell you how much calcification has been found. If you have calcium in your heart’s arteries, the computer will create a calcium score that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease.
Higher scores indicate that you could be at greater risk for a heart attack. Score cutoffs are:
•0: Negative scan – No proof of CAD.
•1-100: Mild proof of CAD.
•101-400: Moderate amount of proof that you have CAD.
•400 or more: Strong proof of CAD.
“Anybody with a score of 400 or higher should get further testing,” said Dr. Amin. “A stress test would be my go-to option for that patient, however, sometimes it may be necessary to go directly for a cardiac catheterization depending on the score. Patients scoring between 1 and 400 would typically be treated with over-the-counter aspirin and a cholesterol medication, like a statin, to prevent them from having more blockages.”
Coronary calcium scoring is recommended for asymptomatic people who are older than 40 and are at an increased risk for heart disease. These risks can include:
•Having a family history of heart disease.
•Current or previous use of tobacco products.
•Having a personal history of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure.
•Being overweight or obese (BMI above 25).
•Having an inactive lifestyle.
“I recommend coronary calcium scoring for anyone with a family history of heart disease, even if asymptomatic,” said Dr. Amin. “Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, so it’s better to get evaluated and know about these things before it’s too late.”
Med Center Health offers Cardiac Scoring for just $49. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a history of smoking, or a family history of heart disease, a cardiac scoring screening can provide valuable insight into your heart health. The scan takes just minutes, requires no needles or special preparation, and could help you prevent a future heart attack. To schedule your screening, call 270-745-1199 or text MCHRAD to 270-796-3200.
-submitted by Med Center Health
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