It’s well-known that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. To take that fact a step further, a recent report conducted by the American Heart Association found that approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a heart attack. This data is not reported to scare readers, but rather to emphasize the true significance of early screening which can provide insights into the reality of your health.
February is Heart Month, which encourages individuals to take their cardiovascular health seriously. At Imaging Healthcare Specialists, our professionals at locations across San Diego perform coronary calcium screenings to provide the best possible guidance as it relates to your heart health. Within this blog, we answer questions such as, “what is a coronary calcium screening?”, provide detailed information about the benefits, and more.
What is a Coronary Calcium Screening?
A Coronary Calcium Screening is a non-invasive CT scan that detects calcium (plaque) buildup in the arteries of your heart. It is important to know about any potential buildup because this heart scan tells you your risk of heart disease. Higher amounts of calcium in your arteries increase the risk of a heart attack or other heart-related conditions because it restricts blood flow and your body’s ability to provide cells with oxygen.
Why Are Coronary Calcium Screenings Important?
As mentioned above, Coronary Calcium Screenings test for atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries). Because the cells in your body require oxygen, your heart is tasked with pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Atherosclerosis restricts your body’s ability to supply oxygen and blood to your body’s cells and organs. Understanding and knowing if you have buildup is important in decreasing your risk for the following conditions, but is not limited to the following conditions:
- Heart Attack: Heart attacks occur when a plaque ruptures leading to the formation of a blood clot that blocks blood flow to part of the heart. The symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the arms or jaw, nausea, and more. If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms, please contact emergency responders as quickly as possible.
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): CAD is the buildup are plaque in the arteries which leads to chest pain, reduced blood flow, fatigue, and other symptoms. CAD increases your risk of a heart attack.
- Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias is the change in your heart’s normal rhythm. This condition looks differently for different people – some individuals experience what feels like a missed heartbeat, while others experience what feels like additional heartbeats.
- Heart Failure: This condition is where the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively. Symptoms include swelling in the legs, fatigue, shortness of breath, and more.
Severity of Plaque Buildup Range
- Low or Zero Score (0): No detectable calcium, which suggests a low risk of heart disease.
- Mild Score (1-99): Minimal calcium buildup, indicating a low risk but suggests early signs of atherosclerosis.
- Moderate Score (100-399): Plaque is detected and there is an increased risk of heart disease
- High Score (400 and up): Significant building, which indicates a high risk of heart disease or coronary artery disease.
Who Needs to Get a Coronary Calcium Screening?
It is recommended that people with a family history of heart disease and smokers get a Coronary Calcium Screening done around the age of 45. However, it is a good idea for anyone over the age of 50 to get an initial Coronary Calcium Screening to be aware of any plaque buildup that may not have resulted with symptoms. Always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the necessity and a game plan when it comes to your cardiovascular health.
Coronary Calcium Screening Overview
Overall, Imaging Healthcare Specialists is using February as an opportunity to advocate for cardiovascular health and to encourage people to schedule a Coronary Calcium Screening. For more information about which locations provide this screening and how to schedule, please contact our team today or use the scheduling feature below.