Coronary calcium scoring is a non-invasive test that can provide valuable information about your heart health. It uses a CT scan to measure the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, which are the arteries that supply blood to your heart. This test can help detect the presence of heart disease and assess your risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular events. In this article, we will discuss what a coronary calcium score is, how it is calculated, and what you need to know about interpreting your results.
What Is A Coronary Calcium Score?
A coronary calcium score is a measure of the amount of calcium in the walls of your coronary arteries. This test uses a CT scan to produce images of your heart, which can then be used to calculate your calcium score.
Calcium can accumulate in the walls of your coronary arteries when plaque builds up, which is a sign of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the walls of your arteries thicken and narrow due to the buildup of plaque. This can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
A coronary calcium score can help detect the presence of atherosclerosis before any symptoms appear. It is a useful tool for assessing your risk of heart disease and developing a plan for preventing or managing the condition.
How Is A Coronary Calcium Score Calculated?
A coronary calcium score is calculated based on the amount of calcium detected in the walls of your coronary arteries. During the test, a CT scanner takes images of your heart, and the images are analyzed by a computer to determine the amount of calcium present.
The amount of calcium detected is then used to calculate your calcium score. The score is typically reported on a scale of 0 to 1000, although some labs may use a different scale. A score of 0 indicates no detectable calcium, while a score of 1000 indicates a high amount of calcium.
It’s important to note that the interpretation of a coronary calcium score can vary depending on your age, sex, and other risk factors for heart disease. Your doctor can help you understand what your score means and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease.
What Do The Results Mean?
A coronary calcium score can provide valuable information about your risk of heart disease. A score of 0 indicates that there is no detectable calcium in your coronary arteries, which means that your risk of heart disease is low. However, a score of 0 does not guarantee that you will not develop heart disease in the future.
If your score is higher than 0, it indicates that there is some amount of calcium present in your coronary arteries. The higher your score, the greater your risk of heart disease. Your doctor can help you interpret your score and develop a plan to reduce your risk of heart disease based on your risk factors.
In general, a coronary calcium score of:
- 0-100: low risk of heart disease
- 100-400: moderate risk of heart disease
- Over 400: high risk of heart disease
It is important to note that a high coronary calcium score does not necessarily mean that you will have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event. It is simply an indicator that you are at a higher risk than someone with a lower score.
What Factors Affect Your Coronary Calcium Score?
Several factors can affect your coronary calcium score, including:
- Age: As you age, your risk of developing atherosclerosis increases, which can lead to a higher coronary calcium score.
- Sex: Men are generally at a higher risk of heart disease than women, which can lead to a higher coronary calcium score.
- Family History: If you have family history of heart disease, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition and have a higher coronary calcium score.
- High Blood Pressure: If you have a high blood pressure, your risk of developing atherosclerosis increases, which can lead to a higher coronary calcium score.
- High Cholesterol: High levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can contribute to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can lead to a higher coronary calcium score.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing atherosclerosis and may have a higher coronary calcium score.
- Smoking: Smoking can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, which can lead to a higher coronary calcium score.