CT calcium score is a coronary calcium scan, which is a completely non-invasive imaging procedure that assesses the risk of heart attack
Once believed to be a condition that affected mostly the elderly, today many young people are affected by heart issues like heart attacks and strokes. According to data, at least 40 per cent of heart attacks in India now affect those below the age of 40 years.
With more than 200 people dying of cardiovascular issues every hour, it is important to understand and note that young people are at a high risk for the condition, which also comes without warning signs. And so, doctors call for early detection to make sure there is proper treatment.
Experts are now calling to check the CT calcium score - a coronary calcium scan, which is a completely non-invasive imaging procedure that assesses the risk of heart attack by measuring the amount of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Doctors say the deposits are an early sign of plaque buildup, which causes arteries to be narrow and potentially get blocked, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack.
What is a CT calcium score?
A calcium score test is a computerised tomography scan that calculates calcium in your coronary arteries. It means you could have atherosclerosis, which causes a heart attack.
A calcium score helps doctors in making treatment decisions for people with borderline risk of heart disease. Calcium score testing results could help you if you are between the ages of 40 and 70 and at increased risk for heart disease, but do not have symptoms.
Who should get a calcium test score?
Studies say you may see a benefit from having a calcium score test every three to five years. It is only helpful to repeat a scan if you had a normal score the first time and want to know if your risk is still low. It’s not helpful to repeat the test if you have ever had abnormal results before.
A calcium score test may not be helpful if you:
- Don’t have any risk factors for heart disease.
- Have a high risk of heart disease.
- Have a diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
- Have symptoms that may suggest coronary artery disease.
- Had prior treatment for coronary artery disease.
How is the calcium score test done?
A calcium score test takes only a few minutes, but the entire procedure may take about 10 or 15 minutes. Before your test, you can prepare by
- Tell the doctor about your allergies, which medications you take, and whether you are pregnant.
- Avoid food, drink, caffeine, and tobacco products for four hours before your test.
- You may need to remove any metal from your body, including jewellery.
- You would need to lie on your back on a special table that slides into the middle of a scanner with a doughnut shape.
- A doctor will then clean three small areas of your chest and thereafter place small, sticky electrode patches on the prepared areas. The electrodes attach to an electrocardiogram, or EKG monitor, which charts your heart’s electrical activity during the test and allows providers to time pictures with your heartbeat.
A positive test means the scan found evidence of calcium in your coronary arteries. This means you have coronary artery disease. If you have calcium in your heart’s arteries, the computer will create a calcium score that estimates the extent of coronary artery disease. Your calcium test score can range from zero to more than 1,000.
Anything above zero means there is evidence of coronary artery disease, which is life-threatening.
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