Home · Health · Sep 7 archive
Calcium Score in Heart Arteries: Misunderstanding the Risk
Developing
In Short: A high calcium score does not equate to a significant blockage, highlighting the need for further testing to assess arterial health.
A high calcium score in heart arteries does not indicate a 90% blockage, as a recent case demonstrated. A 30-something man with a calcium score of 900 required an invasive test, revealing minor blockages that did not necessitate stenting. This case underscores the importance of understanding what a calcium score measures and what it does not.
The calcium score, which detects calcified deposits in coronary arteries, is a tool to assess the presence and burden of plaque, but it does not provide information on the percentage of artery blockage. A score of 900, for instance, does not mean the artery is 90% blocked. It is crucial to follow up with CT coronary angiography for a comprehensive assessment.
Dr. [Name], a cardiologist, explained, 'The calcium score is a valuable tool, but it should not be the sole determinant of arterial health. It can visualize the coronary arteries and the plaque within them, but it cannot assess the degree of narrowing or the presence of non-calcified plaque.
The Indian Express reported that the calcium score should not be considered a substitute for CT coronary angiography, especially when a detailed anatomical assessment is necessary. The case of the mid-30s man with a high calcium score highlights the need for further diagnostic steps to ensure accurate assessment of arterial health.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- He had a 90 per cent blockage and ultimately required a stent.
- The first was a mid 30ish man whose calcium score was around 900 (normal being zero and high being anything more than 400) — a number that immediately sounds alarming.
- There were blockages, but they were relatively minor and did not require stenting.
- You might think that meant his coronary arteries were completely clear.
- When cholesterol plaque builds up inside an artery, some plaques, over time, become hardened and develop calcium deposits.
Sources
- The Indian Expresslink