Computed tomography, sometimes known as a CAT scan, is a diagnostic medical method that creates many images of the interior of the human body. It is simple to assemble cross-sectional CT scan pictures in several planes. Even three-dimensional images are possible. These images can be downloaded on a CD/DD, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film using a 3D printer. Compared to standard radiography, CT scans of internal organs and bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels provide more information, particularly for the structures of soft tissues and blood vessels.
Coronary calcium CT scanning is a non-invasive procedure. It offers details on the existence, size, and distribution of calcified plaque within the coronary arteries, the blood channels that directly provide oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When fat or other things accumulate beneath the inner layer, the result is calcified plaque. This may result in calcification, or coronary disease (CAD). The risk of heart attacks in those who have this illness is increased. Over time, plaque accumulation can restrict the arteries and possibly cut off the blood supply to the heart. This may result in a heart attack or chest pain, often known as “Angina.”
The ct calcium score found in a coronary CT scan can be a prognosticator because calcium is a marker for CAD. An outcome of CT scans is a calcium score.
Calcium Scoring Has Several Advantages
The only non-invasive test that can identify or rule out heart disease in healthy individuals is the coronary ct calcium score scan. The coronary calcium score is the new benchmark for categorizing heart risk. Their superiority to other risk assessment techniques like blood pressure and cholesterol screening has been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials spanning more than 20,000 years of patient observation.
When it comes to identifying those who are most at risk of developing coronary artery disease, it is five times more accurate than any other risk assessment approach. The calcium score makes it easier to pinpoint patients who require treatment to lower their cholesterol, which can help cut down on the use of expensive, pointless drugs.
Details Regarding Your CAC Score
Plaque count from the CT calcium score scan is used to produce a calcium score, also known as an Agatston score. Depending on your age and gender, you might also be able to convert it to a percentile rank. The results of your coronary calcium scoring will be given to your doctor. Your risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a heart attack will be determined by your calcium score. If your calcium score and percentile ranking are lower than those of people your age, you are at a lesser risk of experiencing a heart attack or developing a cardiac ailment.
Results Of The Calcium Score
This test is intended to give you information that will help you decide on preventive or corrective measures and understand your risk of suffering a heart attack or other serious illness. Your doctor may advise making lifestyle changes like giving up smoking and adopting a better diet. If your score is greater than 0, your doctor will advise additional treatment. If your scores are high, a cardiologist in Starling can assist you. Each one of them is an authority on treating coronary artery disease.
This Is How Scoring Operates
- Zero: not a plaque. Heart attacks carry minimal risk.
- 1–10: A small plaque. Your risk of developing heart disease is less than 10%, thus there is little likelihood that you will experience a heart attack.
- 11-100: A plaque or two. You have a modest chance of suffering a heart attack. Your doctor could suggest extra therapy, such as a change in lifestyle.
- 101–400: Moderate plaque accumulation. You may have heart disease with an artery blocked by plaque. The likelihood of having a heart attack might be low to very high. Your doctor might start a course of treatment or suggest more tests.
- More than 400: Your risk of having a heart attack is high if one of your arteries has been blocked by plaque, which is more likely than 90% of the time. Before beginning your course of treatment, your doctor will request more tests.