Receiving a high cardiac calcium score can be concerning, but it also offers an opportunity to proactively manage your heart health. This score indicates calcified plaque in your coronary arteries, a marker for potential cardiovascular risk. Understanding your score and the steps to take is the first step towards improved well-being. This article guides you on interpreting results, working with healthcare professionals, adopting lifestyle changes, exploring medical treatments, and maintaining long-term heart health.
Interpreting a High Cardiac Calcium Score
A cardiac calcium score, often referred to as an Agatston score, quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the walls of your heart’s arteries. This calcified plaque is a mix of fat and calcium that hardens over time, indicating atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries narrow and blood flow can be impeded. A higher score suggests a greater extent of this calcification and, consequently, a higher likelihood of future heart attack or stroke, even if you currently experience no symptoms.
The Agatston score ranges from zero to several hundred or even thousands, with different ranges correlating to varying risk levels. A score of zero indicates no detectable calcium and a very low risk of future heart issues. Scores from 1 to 10 represent minimal calcification, while 11 to 100 suggest mild plaque and a moderate risk. A score between 101 and 400 indicates moderate calcification and an increased risk, with a score over 400 signaling extensive calcification and a high cardiovascular risk.
Consulting with Healthcare Professionals
Upon receiving a high cardiac calcium score, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or a cardiologist. Bring your score report, a detailed medical history, and a list of all current medications to this consultation.
Your healthcare provider will likely conduct a thorough risk assessment, which may involve several diagnostic steps. These often include blood tests to check cholesterol levels, such as LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and glucose levels for diabetes screening. Blood pressure measurements and an electrocardiogram (EKG) are also standard procedures. In some cases, especially if your score is very high (e.g., above 400), a stress test, such as a stress echocardiogram, might be recommended to evaluate blood flow to your heart during physical exertion.
Implementing Lifestyle Changes
Adopting specific lifestyle modifications can significantly help manage cardiovascular risk after a high calcium score. Dietary adjustments are a cornerstone of this approach, emphasizing a heart-healthy pattern like the Mediterranean diet. This involves consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while reducing saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Limiting processed meats, full-fat dairy, red meat, pork, fried foods, and sweets is often advised.
Regular physical activity also plays a substantial role in improving heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or swimming, each week, incorporating muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days. This helps strengthen your heart, manage cholesterol, and control blood pressure and weight. Quitting smoking is another impactful change, as smoking damages arteries and accelerates plaque buildup. Maintaining a healthy weight and practicing stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or yoga, further contribute to a healthier heart.
Considering Medical Treatments
Healthcare providers may recommend medical interventions to manage risk factors associated with a high calcium score. Statins, for instance, are commonly prescribed to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a primary contributor to plaque formation. Statin therapy is often initiated for individuals with a coronary artery calcium score of 100 or higher.
Managing blood pressure is another area where medication may be considered to reduce strain on arteries. For individuals with diabetes, medications to control blood sugar levels are also important, as diabetes can accelerate arterial damage. Low-dose aspirin might be considered for some individuals with a high score and low bleeding risk, to help prevent blood clots. In rare, severe cases with significant blockages or symptoms, advanced procedures like angioplasty and stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be discussed by a cardiologist.
Ongoing Management and Follow-Up
Long-term management of a high cardiac calcium score involves consistent follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. These visits allow for continuous monitoring of risk factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar, as well as assessing the effectiveness of any lifestyle changes or prescribed medications. Adherence to treatments and a sustained commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle are important for reducing future cardiovascular events.
While the calcium score itself typically does not decrease, the goal of ongoing management is to stabilize existing plaque and prevent further buildup. Your doctor may recommend repeat calcium scoring in the future, as needed, to monitor progression and guide treatment adjustments. This proactive approach supports sustained cardiovascular health.