Coronary Calcium Score
A coronary calcium score is a measurement or score based on the amount of calcium found in the coronary arteries of the heart. This score is obtained from a coronary calcium scan. The scan is performed by using computerized tomography (CT) also known as a CAT scan or by electron beam computerized tomography (EBCT) also called ultra-fast CT. The test usually takes approximately 10 minutes.
This particular procedure looks for calcium deposits (calcifications) in the walls of the coronary arteries. These calcifications may be an early sign of coronary heart disease and this scan can help predict if a person has an increased risk for heart attack before symptoms occur. Other names for this test are calcium scan test or a cardiac CT for calcium scoring.
In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up in the walls of the blood vessels leading to the heart causing narrowing and eventually a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the heart. This plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, and calcium. The heart scan detects the calcium in these arteries. Since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the western world, early detection is important in prevention and treatment. The calcium score is a method for classifying individuals for high, low, or intermediate risk for heart attack over a long time period such as ten to twenty years going forward in the future.
If one decides to have a heart scan, it is highly recommended that a CONSULTATION with a cardiologist should be performed prior to testing to include a total risk factor analysis including medical history and risk assessment including the evaluation of major risk factors for coronary artery disease such as elevated cholesterol levels, family history of heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and overweight or obese conditions. This evaluation of risk factors along with a coronary artery calcium score and any other diagnostic tests can be combined in a total analysis of risk for future cardiac events such as heart attack or sudden death. For certain individual evaluation including echocardiography and/or exercise testing may be highly recommended in conjunction with a calcium scan.
Usually, you get a calcium score for each of the major arteries of the heart along with a total calcium score. The higher the score the greater the likelihood you might develop a problem. This test has been found to be particularly useful in the prediction of individuals at increased risk who at the present time are asymptomatic or do not have symptoms of chest discomfort. In individuals with a higher risk such as multiple risk factors and/or chest discomfort other testing such as exercise testing and/or echocardiography may be more useful in evaluation of risk for heart attack.
