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Coronary calcium scoring uses a CT scan to check for the buildup of calcium  and plaque on the walls of the arteries of the heart. The coronary arteries should not contain calcium, doctors use this noninvasive technique to measure the amount of calcium in the walls of your coronary arteries — the arteries that supply your heart with blood. The calcium deposits can narrow your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack. Calcium in the coronary arteries is a sign of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and CAD is a leading cause of heart attacks.
Cardiac scoring is recommended for generally healthy, asymptomatic males over age 45 and females over age 55 who are at risk for CAD. Individuals with a strong family history of heart disease may want to undergo cardiac scoring as early as age 35 or 45. The following are major risk factors for Heart Disease:
- Family history of coronary artery disease
- Borderline/High blood pressure
- Borderline/High cholesterol
- History of smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High level of stress
Cardiac scoring is not recommended for persons with arrhythmias or with relative resting tachycardia (heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute). A high or irregular heart rate makes ECG gating of the heart difficult, resulting in poor image quality. However, these conditions can be treated, making a cardiac scoring examination possible.
Calcium Scores, risks and recommendations
Don’t leave tomorrow to chance. If hidden problems exist, find out NOW so you can act as quickly as possible.  Determine your future risk for developing life-threatening diseases now, while simple lifestyle changes and low-risk treatments can make a difference.
Schedule your DPI LifeScan appointment today; call DPI today at (954) 566-4551. For additional questions please visit LifeScan FAQs.
Many insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for these examinations. The test will be performed without administration of intravenous or oral contrast. Results will be sent to the referring physician to be discussed with the patient. As with other health screening tests, results may be inconclusive and in some cases, additional tests could be required. Diagnostic Professionals, Inc. does not recommend such screenings as substitutes for more comprehensive exams or studies.
Diagnostic Professionals, Inc. does not provide medical advice or treatment. See additional Information.
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