Calcium Score
A Cardiac calcium score (also called coronary artery calcium scoring) is a test that is used to detect calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries). This test, using computerized tomography (CT) can detect early coronary calcification from atherosclerosis (heart disease) before symptoms develop. If significant calcium is detected, it suggests that there is a greater likelihood of narrowing of the arteries and a greater risk of a cardiovascular event occurring in the future. There are certain types of soft plaque that may not be detected with this type of test, however, so it is not full-proof in predicting your risk for an event such as a heart attack.
How is the Calcium Score Calculated?
- Calcium Score 0: Low risk
- Calcium Score 1-100: CAD event Relative Risk = 2.1
- Calcium Score 101-400: CAD event Relative Risk = 3.1
- Calcium Score 401-1000: CAD event Relative Risk = 4.6
- Calcium Score >1000: CAD event Relative Risk = 8.3
References
Budoff (2003) J Am Coll Cardiol 42:1867
Pletcher (2004) Arch Intern Med 164:1285
Who Should Have a Calcium Score?
Your doctor may order a calcium-score screening test to evaluate your risk for future coronary disease. This test may be ordered if you exhibit the following:
- Family history of coronary artery disease
- Middle aged men and women between 45 to 75 years
- Smoker or have smoked in the past
- History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
- Overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Asymptomatic individuals for assessing their cardiac risk
How to Prepare
- You may continue to take your usual medications, but should avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the exam.
- You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
- Metal objects in the area of examination, your chest, may affect the CT images and should be removed prior to your exam.
- Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
What To Expect During a Calcium Score Test
A CT calcium score is a painless test that uses an x-ray machine to take clear, detailed pictures of your heart. During the exam, the x-ray machine will move around your body in a circle and take a picture of your heart. A computer image of your heart can tell your doctor if there is calcium.
The amount of radiation used is small. The technologist who operates the cardiac CT scanner will clean areas of your chest and place small sticky patches on those areas. The patches are attached to an EKG (electrocardiogram) machine to record the electrical activity of your heart during the exam.
The technologist can see you through a glass window and talk to you through an intercom system.
Moving your body can cause the pictures to blur. You will be asked to lay still and hold your breath for short periods, while each picture is taken.
A cardiac CT scan usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.
What to expect after the procedure
After the test, patients can return to their normal activities. You and your primary care physician will receive a full report about your risk assessment and recommendations for any follow-up appointments.
Insurance
At this time, the CT Calcium Score is not covered by most insurance companies or by Medicare. The patient is responsible for payment at the time of the exam. The CSANT CT Imaging Center is currently charging $100 for this test, which is below what most imaging centers offer nationwide and in the DFW metroplex.
