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Heart disease can develop silently without a lot of symptoms until a heart attack occurs. Thankfully, there are ways to see the early warning signs before it reaches such a critical point. Cardiac calcium screenings can detect calcium buildup in your arteries and give insights into your health before problems arise. Capitol Cardiology Associates is here to help you stay ahead of heart disease by identifying risks early on. Keep reading to find out how this test works, who should consider it, and what the results might mean for your long-term health.
Cardiac calcium screenings are also called coronary artery calcium tests. It’s a specialized scan that measures the amount of calcified plaque inside the coronary arteries. It uses a computed tomography scan to capture the details of your heart to point out deposits in the artery walls. Plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances that can build up in the arteries. When plaque hardens, it increases the risk of blockages that might lead to heart attacks or other serious cardiovascular problems. Calcium is a major component of hardened plaque, so this screening can provide a measurable method for assessing the risk of heart disease. The test is quick and painless because there aren’t any injections or stress tests involved at all. You’ll simply lie down while the CT scan takes images of your heart. Those images will then be analyzed to determine the amount of calcium. The results are given a calcium score that can help doctors evaluate whether their patient is at risk of developing heart disease.
A cardiac calcium screening isn’t necessary for everyone, but for certain individuals, it can be an important tool. A heart doctor will usually recommend this test if you have risk factors for heart disease. People who may benefit from a cardiac calcium screening include:
This test can also be very helpful for people who fall into a gray area where their heart disease risk is uncertain. If your cholesterol or blood pressure levels are borderline but not high enough to require medication, a calcium score can offer insights into whether intervention is necessary.
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Once your CT scan has been completed, the test results will be given a calcium score, which is a representation of the total amount of calcified plaque that’s detected in the coronary arteries. This number will help determine your level of risk for heart disease.
A higher score doesn’t automatically mean someone will have a heart attack, but it does indicate that preventative action needs to be taken. A cardiologist in Largo, MD may recommend some lifestyle changes, further testing or cholesterol-lowering medications.
After receiving your results, your heart doctor in Laurel, MD will discuss the next steps to take based on your level of risk. If you have a low or mild score, the focus will likely be on prevention, like an improved diet, more physical activity,, and managing blood pressure or cholesterol. Those with moderate or high scores may need a stress test or advanced imaging to get a clearer picture of the overall function of their heart. In some situations, medications may be prescribed to lower cholesterol or reduce the buildup of plaque.
Do you want to know your risk of heart disease? A cardiac calcium screening can help you make more informed choices about your future. Capitol Cardiology Associates is ready to help local patients protect their hearts with advanced screenings and quality treatment plans. If you’re looking for preventative testing or need professional guidance on managing heart disease, our team is here to support you. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment with a trusted cardiologist.
