Everything about the Calcium Score Test, which helps detect heart attack risk early

A big fear for many of us is having a heart attack. Have you ever wondered how good it would be to have some kind of early warning of this condition, which sometimes comes on suddenly without any symptoms? Well, today we are going to talk about a special test that gives us very important information about the health of the blood vessels in your heart. This is called the Calcium Score Test.

Simply put, what is this Calcium Score Test?

This is actually a specialized CT scan (Computed Tomography Scan) test. It looks for calcium deposits in the main blood vessels that supply blood to your heart, the coronary arteries.

Now you might be thinking, "Calcium is good for bones, right? Why would it be a problem if it's in the arteries of the heart?" Yes, that story is true. However, this calcium buildup happens in a different way. Think about the water pipes in our house. Over time, things like rust and dirt build up inside those pipes, reducing the space inside the pipes, right? Similarly, things like cholesterol and fat build up inside our coronary arteries, forming a layer we call 'plaque' . In medicine, we call this condition Atherosclerosis or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) . Over time, this plaque hardens and calcium accumulates in them.

So, what this Calcium Score Test does is to find out how many of those calcium-bound, hardened areas there are, and how much of them there are. An increase in this calcium level is a good indication that the plaque buildup inside your blood vessels is increasing, and the arteries are gradually narrowing. This can give us a good idea of ​​the risk of a heart attack in the future.

Who wants to do this Calcium Score Test?

This is not a test that is recommended for everyone. It is most useful for people who are at risk for heart disease but do not yet have any symptoms (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath) . People between the ages of 40 and 70 who have one or more of the following risk factors can talk to their doctor about this test.

Additionally, some people may have a hereditary condition called familial hypercholesterolemia . Such a person may be considered for this test even if they are under 40 years of age.

How often should this test be done?

Generally, if you take this test for the first time and the result is 'Zero', it means that the risk is currently very low. If you want to make sure that the risk is still low, you may need to take another test in 3 to 5 years.There may be some benefit to retesting. However, if your result was abnormal (above zero) at least once, there is little benefit in retesting. In that case, the focus should be on treatment and lifestyle changes.

Who should not take this test?

This test is never performed on pregnant women, as the radiation emitted from a CT scan can be harmful to the baby in the womb.

Also, this test is not of much use in the following cases.

• For someone with no risk factors for heart disease .
• For someone who already knows they are at very high risk for heart disease (these people need treatment anyway).
• For someone who is already diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease .
• Someone who already has symptoms of heart disease (such as chest pain) .
• Anyone who has previously received treatment for coronary artery disease (e.g. stent placement, bypass surgery) .

In cases like this, talk to your doctor about what other tests are appropriate to diagnose or monitor your condition.

How do you prepare for the test? How do you take the test?

This is a very simple, painless test. So there is no reason to be afraid. The entire process takes only 10 to 15 minutes.

Before the test...

• Be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have, any medications you are taking, and if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
• Avoid food, drinks, caffeine-containing foods like coffee, and tobacco products for four hours before the test.
• You will need to remove any metal items you are wearing, such as earrings, necklaces, and glasses.
• You will be given a hospital gown to wear.

During the test...

• You will be made to lie down on a special bed and then moved through a scanner machine shaped like a large donut.
• The technician will clean (and possibly shave) three areas of your chest and attach small, sticky-sticky electrodes .
• These electrodes are connected to an EKG (Electrocardiogram) machine , which records your heart's activity during the test. This allows the scan to take pictures of your heart's rhythm.
• The person operating the machine watches you through a glass in a separate room. You can talk to it and hear what it says.
• During the scan, you will be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 20 seconds . This is to help get clear images.
• Then, a computer program analyzes these images to determine if there is calcium buildup in the coronary arteries.

What happens after the test? Are there any risks?

Once the test is over, you can continue with your normal activities. There is no restriction on eating or drinking.

Speaking of risks, since no contrast dye is injected into the body for this test, there are no associated side effects.

This is a CT scan, so you are exposed to a very small amount of radiation. But don't worry, the amount of radiation you get is about the same as the average amount of radiation your body is exposed to from the environment in a year. So the risk of cancer is very low. However, for someone under the age of 40 who has frequent CT scans, the risk may be slightly higher. That's why this is only done for those who need it.

How to understand the results?

Results are usually available within one to two days. A radiologist will review the scans, prepare a report, and send it to your doctor.

A 'positive' test means that calcium is deposited in your coronary arteries. This means that you have some degree of coronary artery disease (CAD). You will also be given a score based on the amount of calcium found. This score can range from zero to over 1000.

If the results are abnormal, what do you do next?

If your score is above zero, it means you are at risk. At that point, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist. Based on the results and other risk factors, they may recommend the following:

• Starting cholesterol-controlling medications such as statins .
• Engaging in daily exercise .
• Making dietary changes (reducing oil, sugar, salt, eating more fruits and vegetables).
• Referral for further tests if necessary.
• Regularly visit the doctor and monitor the condition .

Does this test accurately show if a vein is blocked?

No, not exactly. This test only shows whether calcium has been deposited and plaque has formed on the walls of the blood vessels. This gives an indication of whether the process of narrowing of the arteries has begun.

However, it cannot determine how blocked a vein is or how well blood is flowing through it. There are other specialized tests, such as an angiogram, for that. The Calcium Score Test is a quick, painless test that can be used to assess future risk.