Predict your heart attack risk with a simple coronary artery calcium scan

Find out how coronary artery calcium scan can reveal your heart attack risk before symptoms even start.(Image: Pexels)

With increasing concerns around cardiovascular health, a test called Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scan is fast gaining popularity for providing a more accurate picture of heart attack risk. It’s fast and non-invasive, but also underused despite its potential to offer critical insights.

While blood tests and stress tests provide useful information, they aren’t telling signs of the actual disease. Dr Dinesh Narang, a senior interventional cardiologist at the Lilavati Hospital, told India Today, “It’s one of the few tools we have that can spot a heart attack risk that’s otherwise invisible.”

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What is a CAC scan? 

It is a CT scan that helps check the amount of calcium deposits in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. These deposits indicate plaque build-up or atherosclerosis which can increase the risk of a heart attack. The test provides you with a calcium score that helps determine the need for preventive measures.

Score Range and Risk Level: 

0 - Low risk of heart disease, no visible disease

1-100 - Mild Plaque, indicating some build-up that’s treatable with lifestyle modifications.

101-400 - Moderate Plaque, signalling need of intervention with medications like statins.

401+ - Extensive Plaque, requiring immediate action as it implies being at high risk.

When to Take the Test? 

It is not recommended for everyone, but mainly for those who fall in the moderate risk category.

Dr Narang shared with India Today, "I would recommend it for a man over 40 or a woman over 50 with one or more heart risk factors (like high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking history). You may also consider it if the cholesterol numbers are borderline, and you’re not sure whether you really need to be on medication. The scan is also recommended for someone who has a family history of heart disease, even though your own test results seem fine.”

The CAC score also helps those who are unsure of taking long-term medication. However, its significance reduces if you are young, hale and hearty, and with no family history.

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CAC vs Other Heart Tests

While each test has its own importance, a CAC test is different. A cholesterol test may be suggestive of risk without confirming if you have a heart disease. A stress test is done to check how well your heart functions during exercise. But that is not indicative of the plaques that can rupture and cause heart attacks. A CAC scan does exactly that.

Reportedly, the test comes with certain limitations such as radiation exposure equivalent to mammogram, lack of insurance coverage, and in some cases, inability to show soft plaque. However, the advantages of getting it done outweigh the shortcomings. Doctors consider it immensely valuable for heart health and for taking preventive action before it’s too late.

It’s best to consult your doctor to learn more about this test. It will give you a clear idea of your heart health and teach you the best ways to take care of your heart.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis