Coronary Calcium Score
Coronary Calcium Score
A Coronary Calcium Score is a specialized type of CT scan of the heart. It looks for calcium deposits in the heart arteries.
The Coronary Calcium Score is the measurement of the amount of calcified plaque you have in those arteries. This is important because coronary artery plaque is the main cause of events such as heart attacks and strokes. A buildup of plaque can clog arteries, which can slow your blood flow and prevent certain areas of your heart from getting enough oxygen.
Since the calcium score gives an indirect measure of the amount of plaque in the coronary arteries, determining your calcium score is a very useful way to predict the likelihood of a future heart attack or stroke.
Currently, the test is recommended for individuals in the intermediate risk range who would like a more precise assessment of their risk to help guide treatments and medication doses.
Intermediate risk typically means that you have at least one of the following cardiovascular risk factors, such as:
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
As always, you should talk to your provider to see if a Coronary Calcium Score is right for you.
