Calcium Scoring CT Heart Scan Coronary Artery Disease Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart harden, swell and narrow due to plaque build-up. Plaque develops when cholesterol starts accumulating in the inner layer of these arterial blood vessels. Over time, the plaque can harden into calcium, signaling the presence of arteriosclerosis or CAD. This obstructs the passageway for blood to flow to the heart, resulting in angina (pain) in the chest or a heart attack.
How does knowing my Calcium Score change my risk profile? Your calcium score indicates the likelihood of having a heart attack and may indicate a need for you to aggressively manage your risk factors for heart disease. Your age also plays a big role in the interpretation of your test results because as you age, your arteries naturally accumulate plaque that may calcify over time. Age is therefore critical in examining your risk and creating an action plan for the future. For instance, if you are 85 years old, it may not be surprising for you to have a calcium score of 300. However, if you are 45 years old with a score of 300, your chances of having a cardiac event in the near future is very high. In such a case, aggressive treatment may be needed to reduce your risk for future events.
What is Calcium Scoring CT Heart Scan? Calcium score computerized tomography (CT) heart scan is a non-invasive advanced x-ray technique to view the heart and the coronary arteries that supply blood to it. This scan determines the presence and extent of heart disease even in the absence of the physical symptoms of CAD. It estimates the amount of calcium in the arteries of the heart, and is one of the most advanced methods available today to detect heart disease in its earliest stages.
How conclusive is the test? This test mainly detects calcification in the coronary arteries. The test is limited by its inability to detect soft plaque, which can be found in about 4% of patients with CAD and chest pain. Therefore the test is not 100% conclusive in detecting CAD, but has excellent sensitivity and predictablitity.
Quick Facts: This technique uses x-rays in conjunction with computer technology to generate images of internal organs, in this case the heart and its arteries.
Calcium CT scan showing calcification in the coronary arteries
http://www.csantctimaging.com/diagnostic-tests/calcium-score.php
What does the Calcium Score indicate? The amount of calcification (expressed as a calcium score) may help to predict the likelihood of a heart attack: a score of zero is assigned when no calcification is detected in the arteries of the heart, indicating that CAD is either absent or so minimal that it cannot be seen in the x-ray. A non-zero score is assigned when CAD is present, even if the individual is not experiencing any symptoms. Calcium Score 0 1-10 11-100 101-400 Over 400
No radiation remains in the body after a CT cardiac scan. In general, CT scanning is not recommended for pregnant women or women of childbearing age. If you’ve been referred by the South Asian Heart Center to undergo this exam, your cashpay cost for the test will be $100. This test is so quick and easy, you can do it at your lunch hour!
Presence of CAD No identifiable plaque Minimal plaque Mild plaque Moderate plaque Extensive/Significant plaque
South Asian Heart Center 2480 Grant Road, Mtn. View, CA 94040
‘‘Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring.’’ RadiologyInfo. March 2010
Calcium Scoring CT Heart Scan
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