Coronary Artery Calcium Score

What is Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CAC)?
CAC (Coronary Artery Calcium Score) is a test for plaque or calcium deposits on the walls of the arteries of the heart by using a high-speed and high-resolution computed tomography (CT Scan) to demonstrate the quality of blood flow and the deterioration of coronary arteries. These values can help the doctor identify your risk of developing coronary artery disease such as an acute myocardial infarction in the future even before you experience any signs and symptoms.

Who should be screened for Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CAC)?
People who should consider a CAC test are those at risk for coronary artery disease or deterioration of the arteries and include those with the following traits:
• 45 years of age and above, both male and female especially postmenopausal women
• At risk of heart disease and history of diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being obese or overweight, including:
• High blood lipids or cholesterol. (Should not be higher than 200 mg/dL)
• High triglyceride fat. (Should not be higher than 150 mg/dL)
• High LDL cholesterol (LDL) (Should not be higher than 130 mg/dL)
• Low HDL fat (HDL) (Should be higher than 40 mg/dL)
• Family history of coronary artery disease
• Past or present smoker or regularly exposed to secondhand smoker

During the Procedure of Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CAC)
• Patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown.
• Glasses, dentures, and jewelry will need to be removed before the procedure.
• The technician will then ask the patient to lie down on the examination table which will gradually move into the scanner until your chest is aligned with the scanning ring. The machine will start scanning and capture multiple x-ray images synchronized with your heartbeat which the computer system will process the examination by showing images periodically.
• During the examination, the patient must lie still with normal breath, but in some cases, the doctor will ask you to breathe in, exhale, or hold your breath for some time. To obtain a clearer x-ray image, there will be communication through a voice intercom system. The examination takes about 10-20 minutes. Contrast agent is not required with this examination.
Preparation for Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CAC) testing
• There is no need to refrain from water or food before the examination.
• Avoid tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages at least 12 hours before the test.
• Refrain from smoking at least 4 hours before the examination.
• Avoid medication that stimulates or increase the heart or pulse.

Interpretation and evaluation of Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CAC) detection
High-speed and high-resolution computed tomography (CT Scan) results accurately tell the amount of plaque that has accumulated in the walls of coronary arteries. Using the principle of measuring the intensity of x-ray that passes through the coronary arteries, therefore, it can be interpreted whether the patient is at risk for acute coronary syndrome or not. It predicts the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease in the future.

The doctor will consider the following Calcium Score values as follow:
• Calcium Score = 0 means no plaque in the coronary arteries.
• Calcium Score of 1-100 means there is slight plaque in the coronary arteries. Low chance of coronary heart disease
• Calcium Score of 101-400 means moderate coronary artery plaque. Moderate to high risk of coronary artery disease
• Calcium Score of 401 or higher means there may be latent arteriosclerosis. Very high risk of coronary artery disease and may occur within 2-5 years, whether there are symptoms or not.

After the CAC examination, the doctor will provide medical advice on lifestyle modification and make an appointment for a follow-up if necessary.