Coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC)
Coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC) is a screening test to evaluate the collection of calcium in the lining of the coronary arteries, which signifies the deposit of plaque. The plaque buildup can become hard, narrow, or block the arteries, increasing the risk of developing a stroke and a heart attack. It is one of the methods to assess if you have a risk of developing heart disease.
Coronary artery calcium scoring or CAC may be called by different names such as:
- Coronary Calcium Score
- Calcium Scan of the Heart
- Calcium Scan Test
- Cardiac Scoring
- Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring
This test uses a computed tomography (CT) scan to generate images of coronary arteries to pinpoint the presence and location of calcium and plaque which are an indicator of arteriosclerosis and predictor of cardiovascular diseases.
Advantages of coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC)
- Quick, painless, noninvasive procedure performed in the outpatient setting
- No contrast media injection
- Low radiation exposure
Who should get coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC)?
You should have CAC scoring if you have the risk factors below:
Unmodifiable factors
- Age 40 or above
- Direct family members with heart disease
Modifiable factors
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Overweight
- Past or present tobacco use
If someone in your family has familial hypercholesterolemia, you should get a CAC scoring test at less than 40 years old.
CAC procedure
Before the procedure
Refrain from smoking or consuming caffeine 4 hours before the test.
During the procedure
Electrodes will be attached to your chest to record the heart activity. Then, you will lie down on a table that can move into a CT scanner. Medication to slow the heart rate may be given; this helps get clear pictures of the heart. You will be asked to hold your breath while images are taken. The procedure is about 10-15 minutes.
After the procedure
Your doctor will inform you about the result. The calcium score range is from 0 to 400. The more calcium in the lining of arteries, the higher the score and the higher risk of developing heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
- Score 0 = No calcium is seen and there is a low risk of developing a heart attack.
- Score 100-300 = Moderate buildup of plaque and there is a slightly high risk of heart disease over the next 3-5 years.
- Score over 300 = Extremely high risk of high attack.
People with a 0 score can develop a stroke or heart attack, but the risk is low. CAC scoring is a method to estimate the risk of heart disease; it should be considered together with other factors such as family history, smoking habits, blood pressure, cholesterol, and so on.
CAC scoring can detect the evidence of plaque and raise awareness of coronary artery disease. If you have a high calcium score, your doctor can give some advice on changing your lifestyle to lower the risk of future cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended to have an early screening test to have proper control and a plan of treatment.
