What Role Can Calcium Scoring Play In Heart Health
Coronary calcium scans employ computed tomography (CT), a specialized X-ray diagnostic, to look for calcium deposition in plaque on the walls of the heart’s arteries. The degree of arterial wall hardening determines your risk of suffering a heart attack. After the test alerts your doctor to your level of risk, you can collaborate with them to treat the problem and avoid suffering a heart attack or stroke.
What Is The Process Of Computed Tomography?
A CT scan, often known as a CAT scan, is a diagnostic medical procedure that generates several images or photos of the interior of the body. It is non-invasive, painless, and faster than an MRI. Doctors or physicians encourage patients to refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking for four hours before the assessment. They advise you to avoid caffeine as well.
If you have a history of allergy to the contrast medium, medication may be given to reduce your risk of experiencing an adverse reaction. Hours before your exam, you must take your medication. Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothing because you might need to take off your jewelry. You might need to change into a gown depending on what part of your body is being scanned. Any underwired bras you are wearing must be removed.
What Needs To Be Seen By My Doctor?
Your doctor is trying to determine if you have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which raises your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Plaque buildup may cause your arteries to constrict and harden, which would make your heart work harder. Plaque may potentially cause your arteries to entirely close off. An experienced Denver cardiologist must first assess the severity of the condition before deciding whether or not you need therapy, even if arterial plaque can be treated. The CT scan’s coronary calcium score serves as a helpful prognostic marker. The Coronary Artery Calcium Score is another name for this test.
What Should You Expect?
CT scans are rapid and easy. You will be positioned on a compact table that will pass through the CT scanner’s tiny hole. Electrodes, which are tiny sticky discs, will be applied to your chest to record the CT scans when your heart is not beating vigorously (ECG). You will be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 20 seconds while images are being taken. You’ll have to wait while the technician determines whether the scans produced clear enough images for the doctor to use. The therapy lasts around 10 minutes from beginning to end.
Your Results
Your radiologist will analyze the images and provide a formal report to the doctor who suggested the scan. You don’t have any signs of coronary artery calcification if the scan returns a negative result. This suggests that CAD is either completely nonexistent or barely detectable. If you have a low calcium score, your chances of having a heart attack over the next two to five years are quite low.
Whether or whether you have symptoms, a positive test indicates CAD. Depending on the level of calcification, your risk will change. Your doctor will discuss the test results with you, let you know what to expect, and decide whether treatment is necessary and how extensive it has to be. Follow-up exams could be necessary, especially if there are dubious findings that demand further views or novel imaging techniques.
You might also need more testing to determine how well the drug is working and whether any discovered abnormalities are stable or changing. It’s crucial to avoid heart attacks and strokes if you want to avoid some of the most common diseases and fatalities. Working with your doctor to lower your risk is essential since doing so will improve your quality of life and aid in managing your health.