A cardiac calcium score is an important measure of heart health, helping to assess the risk of cardiovascular events. This score reflects the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Understanding this indicator is increasingly recognized as a valuable step in preventing heart disease.
Understanding Your Cardiac Calcium Score
A cardiac calcium score (CAC) quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. These calcified deposits are a marker of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up, potentially narrowing arteries and impeding blood flow. The test to determine this score is a non-invasive computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart, which uses X-rays to measure the density, size, and number of these calcium deposits.
The scan yields an Agatston score, ranging from zero to over 1,000. A score of zero indicates no identifiable calcification and suggests a very low risk of a heart attack in the next two to five years. Scores between 1 and 10 show minimal signs of coronary artery disease, while 11 to 100 suggest mild disease. A score from 101 to 400 indicates moderate plaque buildup, and scores above 400 signify extensive calcification, correlating with a higher risk of heart problems. This score helps healthcare providers assess an individual’s risk for future cardiovascular events.
The Nuance of Reduction
While the phrase “reducing your cardiac calcium score” might suggest a decrease in the numerical value of existing calcification, current understanding indicates that physically removing established calcium deposits from the arteries is generally not achievable through non-invasive means. Existing calcified plaque is largely irreversible. The primary aim, therefore, shifts to slowing or halting the progression of calcium buildup and, more importantly, to mitigating overall cardiovascular risk.
Even if the numerical score itself does not decrease, managing risk factors can significantly improve heart health outcomes. The focus is on preventing further accumulation of plaque and stabilizing existing plaque to reduce the likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes. Interventions target the underlying disease process rather than solely the calcification measurement.
Lifestyle Strategies to Improve Heart Health
Adopting lifestyle changes slows calcium progression and reduces heart disease risk. Dietary modifications play a significant role, with heart-healthy eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet recommended. These diets emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while limiting saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. Incorporating foods rich in monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil and nuts, can help lower cholesterol levels.
Regular physical activity is another strategy. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week can contribute to improved cardiovascular health. Exercise helps reduce inflammation and can slow the progression of coronary artery disease. Quitting smoking is paramount, as it is a major risk factor for heart disease and significantly contributes to plaque buildup. The cardiovascular benefits of smoking cessation are immediate and continue to improve over time.
Maintaining a healthy weight helps lower various cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. Weight loss can lead to significant improvements in metabolic factors and overall heart health. Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation or yoga, also support cardiovascular well-being by mitigating stress-related impacts on the heart.
Medical Approaches and Ongoing Management
Medical interventions complement lifestyle strategies in managing cardiac calcium scores and overall cardiovascular risk. Medications often include statins, which are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and can stabilize existing plaque, making it less prone to rupture. While statins can sometimes lead to an increase in the calcium score as plaques become more calcified, this may indicate treatment success as the plaque becomes more stable. Blood pressure medications and diabetes medications are also important for managing underlying conditions that contribute to calcium buildup and heart disease risk. Certain newer diabetes drugs have shown direct cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are essential for ongoing management. Monitoring includes not only the cardiac calcium score, but also other cardiovascular risk assessments. While follow-up calcium scoring is not typically frequent, other tests and discussions help assess the effectiveness of interventions. Personalized care is central to this management. Strategies are tailored by a medical professional based on an individual’s specific risk factors, existing health conditions, and overall health status. This individualized approach ensures the most appropriate combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatments improves heart health.