What is a CT Calcium Score for Coronary Artery Calcification?
What is coronary artery calcium screening (CT Calcium Score)?
Coronary artery disease is a major health problem among Thai people, with morbidity and mortality rates steadily increasing. Key symptoms include chest pain and easily feeling fatigued to the point of being unable to fully exercise or perform daily activities, which is typically caused by narrowed blood vessels. Meanwhile, death is often caused by acute myocardial infarction resulting from sudden vascular obstruction. Therefore, coronary artery calcium screening serves as a tool to help assess risk even before symptoms appear.
Why a calcium scan can indicate heart risk
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries often begins with the accumulation of fat in the blood vessel walls, which is a degenerative condition. This fat buildup is usually accompanied by calcium deposits, causing the blood vessels to harden.
Therefore, detecting calcium deposits in the coronary arteries is like finding traces of fat accumulation in the blood vessel walls. The more calcium detected, the higher the risk of coronary artery disease.
How is CT Calcium Scoring done?
Coronary calcium scanning (CT Calcium Score) is a screening test for fat and calcium deposits on blood vessels, using a high-speed CT scanner to examine the main arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle.
The highlight of this test is that it is easy, fast, and requires no complicated preparation.
- It requires holding your breath for less than 10 seconds during the exam.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages and smoking 4 hours before the test.
How to interpret CT Calcium Score results
A high-speed CT scanner displays a numerical value (Calcium Score) to indicate the risk level, with a higher value indicating a higher risk.
| Calcium Score Value | Risk Level for Coronary Artery Blockage |
|---|---|
| 0 | Very low (less than 5%) |
| 1–10 | Low (less than 10%) |
| 11–100 | Moderate. Should be interpreted in conjunction with blood lipid levels, and care should be initiated. |
| 101–400 | Moderate to high. Treatment should be initiated with medication, diet control, and exercise. |
| More than 400 | High. Should receive treatment according to a doctor's recommendation. |
Summary of Interpretation
- If no calcium is detected (a score of 0), it indicates that the risk of coronary artery disease or acute myocardial infarction is very low (less than 5%).
- If the score is higher than 400, it indicates a very high risk of developing coronary artery disease within 5 years, regardless of whether symptoms are present.
Interpretation of results should be under the supervision of a physician to consider alongside other risk factors and plan appropriate healthcare.
Who should get screened for coronary artery calcium?
- People with high blood lipids, especially bad cholesterol (LDL) greater than 190.
- Menopausal women or those who had a hysterectomy before age 40
- Men over 45 years old and women over 55 years old
- People with obesity
- People who regularly smoke or drink alcohol
- People with a family history of coronary artery disease or a previous history of heart disease.
- Diabetic patients
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CT Calcium Score test hurt? How should you prepare? It is painless and done using a CT scanner, taking only a short time. Simply refrain from caffeine and smoking for 4 hours before the test, and hold your breath briefly during the scan.
Does a score of 0 mean there is no chance of heart disease at all? A score of 0 indicates very low risk, but it does not mean zero risk. You should still take care of your health and manage other risk factors.
How is a CT Calcium Score different from other heart tests? CT Calcium Score focuses on assessing risk before symptoms appear, making it suitable for preventive screening, unlike tests such as an ECG or Echo, which evaluate other aspects of heart function.
Piyavate Hospital, we serve you like family
www.piyavate.com and www.facebook.com/piyavate
For more information, call 1489 or 02-129-5555
