Calcuim Score
What is a Calcium Score?
A Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score is used to calculate or quantify the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries that feed the heart. The higher your number or score on the test, the higher your risk of heart attack.
The coronary arteries provide the blood supply to the heart itself. The heart has 3 main coronary arteries and each have branches that supply blood to certain areas of the heart. When arteries are highly calcified they become narrow and develop what is known as plaque. This plaque is at risk of developing clots and becoming completely occluded or blocked. When a coronary artery becomes blocked by a clot, the heart will not get enough blood supply, and a heart attack will occur.
Who should consider a coronary CT calcium scan?
Consider coronary calcium testing if you are 40 years of age and have two or more of the following risk factors:
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol level
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Sedentary or high stress life
Coronary calcium testing is not indicated for patients with coronary stents or previous coronary bypass surgery.
How the procedure is performed?
A technologist will position you on the CT examination table, usually lying flat on your back. Pillows may be used to help maintain the correct position and to hold still during the exam.
Small EKG electrodes will be attached to your chest and to an EKG machine that records the electrical activity of the heart. This makes it possible to record CT scans when the heart is not actively contracting.
Next, the examination table will move slowly through the scanner as the actual CT scanning is performed. You will be asked to hold your breath periodically throughout the scanning for 5-10 seconds durations while images are recorded.
The actual CT scanning is usually completed within minutes.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
The calcium scoring exam is a simple, painless, non-invasive study that requires little or no preparation and usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Unlike other studies, there are no injections and there is no need to drink any special fluids. Unlike standard cardiac tests, this examination can suggest the presence of coronary artery disease even when the arteries are less than 50% blocked. Remember, more than half of all heart attacks occur with less than 50% narrowing.
Your calcium score can help you make lifestyle changes that may be needed depending on the severity of disease, thus decreasing your chances of a future heart attack.
With this non invasive diagnostic test, utilizing a CT scanner, calcium can be detected in the coronary arteries making this study effective in early diagnosis of heart disease.