Assessing Coronary Artery Calcium

Despite the fact that modern medicine is today in position to cure most cardiovascular diseases, success is hampered by the fact that most of those who have an increased risk of disease do not know that they are in the risk group. Some of the common risk factors of coronary diseases are well known: they include age, sex, level of cholesterol, a high density of lipoproteins, smoking, diabetes and hypertension. These risk factors lead to death in 50% of cases.

However, it is often the case that the patient can suffer from, or be exposed to several of the aforementioned risk factors and yet not suffer from coronary artery related illnesses. The concentration of calcium in the coronary arteries is determined by a simple and reliable test that enables early diagnosis and hopefully the prevention of long-term consequences. One of the main advantages to calcium assessment is that it is a lot more precise than other methods of testing.

Below is an outline some of the reasons for choosing Coronary Artery Calcium assessment:

The mere presence of calcium in the coronary arteries indicates coronary atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs as a result of calcium deposits on the walls of the arteries. This is often a problem associated with age; however, arterial calcium damage is not actually a problem linked to the body’s ageing process. Calcium is often found in the coronary arteries in the early stages of coronary atherosclerosis.

Assessing the level of coronary artery calcium gives a quantitative estimation of the congestion of the coronary vessels by atherosclerotic patches. It does not, however, provide information on the location or degree to which it has caused the narrowing of the arteries. This assessment is the anatomical equivalent to the cardio functionality test, such as a coronary perfusion visualization, which investigates the quality of a coronary vein.

Once the concentration of calcium has been ascertained then a direct link can be made to the potential for cardio-complications. Patients with increased levels of calcium deposits run a much higher risk of heart complaints regardless of whether they demonstrate any symptoms. For patients without symptoms and with a low to 0 level of calcium deposits, the risk of developing heart disease within the next two-four years is very low.

A positive result means that the patient does suffer from heart disease whether they are showing symptoms of not. The level of calcium can be used to predict the probability of a heart attach in the next few years. There is a 3 in 1 chance of heart disease in patients whose calcium levels are from 1 to 80 (in comparison with people with a zero level of calcium), 8:1 for people whose calcium levels are from 80 to 400 and approximately 25:1 for patients whose calcium levels are 400 and over. In comparison with traditional risk factors the ratios are as such 1.8:1 for those whose cholesterol level is 240 mg/dl or above; 1.8:1 for those who have a high level of lipoproteins above 35 mg/dl; 5.4:1 for diabetics; 3.6:1 for smokers; and 2.6:1 for those with high blood pressure.

An increased level of calcium deposits is a much bigger threat to patients’ health than any of the traditional risks, even if they are all combined. 

Should a series of results indicate a sharp increase in deposit level over a short period of time then this similarly suggests a high threat of heart disease.

Increased levels of coronary calcium are also linked to atherosclerotic diseases of the vascular system, in particular the prevention of the essential circulation of blood to the brain.

In conclusion:

Assessing coronary artery calcium allows doctors to provide a non-invasive and correct analysis of patients’ coronary status even if patients show no symptoms of heart disease. It allows them to predict the threat to patients’ health in the future, and to identify the necessary preventive measures and observe any developments. Regular check-ups allow medical professional to take note of any changes in calcium levels and observe the success of treatment.

Assessing coronary artery calcium levels does not identity the location of the deposits or give specifics on the degree of coronary narrowing and, as such, does not replace radionuclide myocardial perfusion image testing, which makes it possible to study the blood supply to the heart and therefore ascertain the extent coronary stenosis.

About the test:

This test is absolutely painless and usually takes up to 15 minutes. It does not require any special preparation, clients can continue taking any prescribed medicines, but should avoid caffeine and cigarettes for up to 4 hours prior to the examination.