Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Australia. It is also often a silent disease, not being known about until it is too late. This is why early detection and prevention are crucial. Among the various diagnostic tests available, the CT coronary calcium score has emerged as a valuable tool in assessing your or your loved ones’ heart health. In this article, we will discuss what a CT coronary calcium score is and who should consider having this test done.
A CT coronary calcium score, also known as the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, is a non-invasive imaging test that measures the amount of calcium present in the coronary arteries. The test is performed using a computed tomography (CT) scan, which provides detailed images of the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries can be an early sign of coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. By telling us how much calcium is present, the CT coronary calcium score provides valuable information about an individual’s risk of developing heart disease and experiencing a cardiac event, such as a heart attack
I recommend CTC for individuals who are at an intermediate risk of developing heart disease. Your doctor will guide you on what risk level you are.
The reason for this is that if we already know you are at high risk of heart disease (or we already know you have heart disease) there is usually no point of putting you through a CTC as the result does not change our management – we should already be doing everything we can from a medical and lifestyle management point of view to keep your heart healthy.
If you are considered low risk by your doctor, a CTC is usually not recommended because the number of people we would need to scan to find one person with silent heart disease would be very high. This causes a lot of unnecessary cost to patients, and also involves small exposure to radiation that is potentially unnecessary. Talk to your doctor if you would like more information about this and whether a CTC might be right for you.
The CT coronary calcium score test is a quick, non-invasive procedure. You’ll lie down on a table that slides into the CT scanner, which resembles a large, doughnut-shaped machine. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds while the machine takes images of your heart. The entire procedure usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
The results of your CT coronary calcium score are expressed as a numerical value. A higher score indicates a greater amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, and therefore, a higher risk of developing CAD. Your doctor will use this information, along with other risk factors, to determine the most appropriate preventive measures and treatment plan for you.
