Coronary artery calcification is a strong indicator of heart health and potential heart attack risk. The calcification aspect refers to the collection of calcium in your heart’s two main arteries (the coronary arteries). These arteries are responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body. A well-functioning heart also ensures that blood circulates efficiently through the lungs, facilitating effective gas exchange.
The calcification typically occurs about five years after the start of atherosclerosis which is the build-up of plaque in the arteries. It’s a critical indicator of heart health because as this plaque accumulates, it becomes more and more difficult for blood to pass through which can lead to a heart attack. At around age 40, calcium from the bloodstream also begins settling in the body, and inflamed or damaged arteries attract deposits.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
There are often no symptoms for a very long time. Eventually, a person may begin to experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart attack. Because there are few symptoms, it’s important to be aware of the risk factors. The greatest risk factor is simply age and plaque builds up over time; more than 90% of men and 67% of women over the age of 70 have coronary artery calcification. Women develop calcifications later than men as high estrogen levels before menopause seem to act as a form of prevention. Calcium deposits from the bloodstream build with age as well even though they can begin as early as your 20s. Other risk factors include obesity, high levels of bad cholesterol, family history, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and more.
How Can I Find Out if I Have Coronary Artery Calcification?
CAC is often measured through a specialized imaging test called a coronary calcium scan or CT scan. This test helps assess the extent of calcification and can be a valuable tool for predicting cardiovascular risk. The coronary calcium scan is a type of computed tomography (CT) scan specifically designed to detect calcium deposits.
The results of a coronary calcium scan are usually expressed as a calcium score known as an Agatson score which reflects the amount of calcium detected in your coronary arteries. The score is used to estimate your risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is typically categorized as follows:
- 0: No detectable calcium; low risk of CAD.
- 1-99: Small amount of calcium; mild risk.
- 100-399: Moderate amount of calcium; increased risk.
- 400 and above: Large amount of calcium; high risk.
Based on the results, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medication, or further testing to manage or reduce your risk of heart disease.
A coronary calcium scan is not a routine test; it is usually based on your risk factors and health history. It is typically recommended for individuals with a family history of heart disease, risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, and sometimes people with unexplained chest pain or atypical symptoms. This means that many older individuals are at risk of a heart attack and have no idea. Today, new tools like 4DMedical’s Imbio Technology CAC may help detect calcification through imaging already in existence. Using existing chest CT scans (like those from lung cancer screenings), patients can also be screened for coronary artery calcifications. CAC is an FDA-cleared, fully automated solution that detects, visualizes, and quantifies coronary artery calcification from a qualifying chest CT scan. CAC provides visualizations and reports for radiologists and cardiologists to rapidly and accurately determine the location and extent of calcification.
Treatment Options
There is no standard treatment for coronary artery calcifications. Physicians may recommend lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthy, and increasing exercise levels. Medications like blood pressure medication can also help manage and reduce plaque levels. However, if a patient is deemed high risk, a few surgical options include intravascular lithotripsy which sends pressure waves to push plaque out, laser atherectomy to cut plaque, and high-pressure balloon angioplasty to move calcium to treat severe cases. These procedures tend to be very successful but do come with risks.
Coronary artery calcification serves as a crucial indicator of heart health and potential cardiovascular risk yet often goes unnoticed. Proactive monitoring and management are key to mitigating the risks associated with CAC. For older individuals and those with risk factors, considering a coronary calcium scan could be a crucial step in safeguarding heart health.