Plaque accumulation within arteries is a concern for cardiovascular health. This buildup, composed of various substances, can harden over time. When this hardening occurs due to calcium deposits, it becomes known as calcified plaque, a common finding in many individuals. Understanding the nature and implications of calcified plaque is an important step toward maintaining arterial health and preventing serious health complications. This article will explore what calcified plaque is, why it can pose risks, how it is detected, and strategies for its management and prevention.
What is Calcified Plaque
Arterial plaque forms when fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, and a protein called fibrin accumulate on the inner walls of arteries. This initial buildup can gradually attract calcium, leading to a process called calcification. Over time, these calcium deposits harden the plaque, making it rigid. This hardening is a characteristic feature of atherosclerosis, a progressive condition where arteries narrow and lose their elasticity.
While all plaque begins as a soft, lipid-rich deposit, not all plaque calcifies to the same extent. Calcified plaque represents a more stable, mature form of atherosclerotic lesion. Its presence indicates a long-standing process of arterial wall injury and repair.
Why Calcified Plaque is Dangerous
The presence of calcified plaque signifies advanced atherosclerosis, posing several risks to cardiovascular health. Calcified plaque can narrow the artery lumen. This narrowing, known as stenosis, can lead to symptoms like angina (chest pain during exertion) or claudication (leg pain during walking), as tissues do not receive enough oxygenated blood.
Calcified plaque also contributes to increased arterial stiffness. Stiff arteries force the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to elevated blood pressure over time. A higher calcium score signals a greater burden of atherosclerotic disease, correlating with a higher long-term risk of cardiovascular events.
Even though calcified plaque is considered more stable and less likely to rupture than soft plaque, it can still contribute to complications. The hardened surface of calcified plaque can sometimes erode, potentially triggering the formation of blood clots on its surface. These clots can further obstruct blood flow or break away and travel to other parts of the body. Such events can lead to major cardiovascular incidents, including heart attacks, strokes, or peripheral artery disease in the limbs.
Detecting Calcified Plaque
Detecting calcified plaque relies on imaging techniques that visualize calcium deposits within artery walls. The most common and effective method for assessing calcification in the heart’s arteries is the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scan. This non-invasive procedure uses a specialized computed tomography (CT) scan to image the coronary arteries. The scan measures calcified plaque and assigns a numerical score; higher scores indicate greater calcification.
A calcium score of zero suggests a very low likelihood of significant coronary artery disease, while higher scores indicate an increased risk. For instance, a score above 400 is considered high and associated with an elevated risk of future cardiac events. Calcification can also be observed in other arteries, such as the carotid arteries in the neck or legs, using other imaging techniques like ultrasound or CT angiography, providing a broader picture of arterial health.
Managing and Preventing Calcified Plaque
Existing calcified plaque cannot be directly removed by current medications, but its progression can be slowed or halted, and the risk of cardiovascular events reduced. Lifestyle modifications are a key component of management and prevention. Adopting a heart-healthy eating pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, is beneficial. Regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, helps improve cardiovascular fitness and manage weight.
Maintaining a healthy body weight and quitting smoking also reduce arterial stress and inflammation. Limiting alcohol intake further supports arterial health. Beyond lifestyle changes, medical management plays a role in controlling risk factors. Physicians may prescribe medications such as statins to lower cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, or medications to manage high blood pressure and diabetes. Regular medical check-ups are important for monitoring risk factors and adjusting treatment plans as needed, ensuring adherence to therapies that can slow plaque progression and mitigate cardiovascular risk.