Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and calcium score screening is a simple, non-invasive way to help prevent it.
How calcium score screening works
A calcium score screening test uses a special type of X-ray called a computed tomography (CT) scan to take pictures of your heart. The CT scan can show the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, which are the arteries that supply blood to your heart.
The amount of calcium in your coronary arteries is a good indicator of how much plaque is present. Plaque is a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that can narrow your arteries and make it hard for blood to flow through.
Why calcium score screening is important
A calcium score is a CT scan of the heart that shows how many arteries in your heart are blocked by calcium deposits. This number is called a calcium score. It’s a number from 0 to 400. A calcium score of 0 means that your arteries are completely clear. A calcium score of 400 means that all of your arteries are blocked by calcium.
If you have a high calcium score, it means you have a lot of plaque in your arteries. This means you have a higher risk for heart disease.
calcium score screening in Morristown, NJ can help you and your doctor know your risk for heart disease and take steps to prevent it.
Causes of a calcium score
When calcium builds up in your arteries, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The more calcium there is, the more likely it is that a heart attack or stroke will happen. The calcium deposits can be on the inside or the outside of your blood vessels.
In some cases, a person can have a calcium score of 0. This means that their arteries are completely clear. However, this doesn’t mean that the person will not have a heart attack or stroke. The calcium score isn’t the only risk factor that determines whether someone will have a heart attack or stroke. Other risk factors include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood sugar
Conclusion
Calcium score screening is a simple, non-invasive way to help prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. If you have a high calcium score, it means you have a higher risk for heart disease. Calcium score screening can help you and your doctor know your risk for heart disease and take steps to prevent it.