“Calcium scoring is the single best test you can have to predict your cardiovascular risk. All the other risk factors – cholesterol, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and all are much less predictive than the calcium score. Cardiovascular disease kills more people than any other disease. Getting a calcium score done may be the most important thing you can do to determine how you can live a longer and healthier life.” Eric Insko, MD, Radiologist, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring
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(Left) CT of normal coronary artery.
(Right) Abnormal CT showing calcium in the left coronary artery.
A: sternum
B: rib
C: heart
D: calcium in the coronary artery
|
Noted as the single best predictor of heart disease by the American Heart Association, a cardiac CT scan is a non-invasive exam that shows the location and amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. This build-up that is comprised of fat, calcium and other substances can eventually result in the narrowing or closing of the arteries. That can lead to angina or a heart attack. Since calcium is a strong indicator of coronary artery disease, the amount of calcium seen in a CT scan can help physicians determine if a patient needs a medical, surgical or lifestyle intervention. The test is recommended by the American Heart Association for men older than age 45 and women older than 55 who are at intermediate risk for future heart attack, meaning that they have one or more major risk factor for coronary heart disease: high blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, low HDL (good) cholesterol, strong family history of heart attack, smokers and ex-smokers and diabetics.
“Cardiac CT is more accurate, cheaper, faster and has less radiation than a nuclear stress test. In the future, this will become the test of preference to evaluate not only those with chest pain, but also those without chest pain, but simply at risk for heart disease.” Eric Insko, MD, Radiologist, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
“Calcium scoring is the single best test you can have to predict your cardiovascular risk. All the other risk factors – cholesterol, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and all are much less predictive than the calcium score. Cardiovascular disease kills more people than any other disease. Getting a calcium score done may be the most important thing you can do to determine how you can live a longer and healthier life.” Eric Insko, MD, Radiologist, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates
Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring
|
|
(Left) CT of normal coronary artery.
(Right) Abnormal CT showing calcium in the left coronary artery.
A: sternum
B: rib
C: heart
D: calcium in the coronary artery
|
Noted as the single best predictor of heart disease by the American Heart Association, a cardiac CT scan is a non-invasive exam that shows the location and amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. This build-up that is comprised of fat, calcium and other substances can eventually result in the narrowing or closing of the arteries. That can lead to angina or a heart attack. Since calcium is a strong indicator of coronary artery disease, the amount of calcium seen in a CT scan can help physicians determine if a patient needs a medical, surgical or lifestyle intervention. The test is recommended by the American Heart Association for men older than age 45 and women older than 55 who are at intermediate risk for future heart attack, meaning that they have one or more major risk factor for coronary heart disease: high blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, low HDL (good) cholesterol, strong family history of heart attack, smokers and ex-smokers and diabetics.
“Cardiac CT is more accurate, cheaper, faster and has less radiation than a nuclear stress test. In the future, this will become the test of preference to evaluate not only those with chest pain, but also those without chest pain, but simply at risk for heart disease.” Eric Insko, MD, Radiologist, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates