What Is Coronary Calcium Scoring and Why Does It Matter for Your Heart?
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that many heart problems are preventable—if we catch the risks early enough. One tool that helps doctors do this is called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. In simple terms, it’s a scan that checks how much calcium has built up in the arteries of your heart.
This blog will explain:
What a coronary calcium score is
How the test works
What the results mean
Who should get the test
Why it’s helpful
How it compares to other risk tests
Practical steps you can take
Let’s dive in!
What Is Coronary Calcium?
Calcium is usually a good thing—it's in your bones and teeth to keep them strong. But calcium in your heart arteries is not a good sign. It means there is plaque buildup, which is a mix of fat, cholesterol, and calcium. This buildup is called atherosclerosis, and it can narrow the arteries or block them completely, causing a heart attack.
The more calcium in your arteries, the more plaque there is—and the higher your risk for heart problems.
What Is a Coronary Calcium Score?
A coronary calcium score is the result of a simple, non-invasive test called a CT scan. This scan takes pictures of your heart and shows how much calcium is in the walls of your coronary arteries (the ones that supply blood to your heart muscle).
The scan is painless and takes about 10 minutes.
You don’t need to get poked with a needle.
You don’t have to fast beforehand.
There’s no dye or contrast involved.
The result is a number—your CAC score.
What Do the CAC Score Numbers Mean?
Here’s a basic guide to understanding your coronary calcium score:
Even if you have no symptoms, a higher score means your risk for heart problems is higher. A score of 0 gives you a kind of “warranty” period—it means your risk is extremely low for the next several years .
Who Should Get a Coronary Calcium Scan?
Not everyone needs this test. But it can be very helpful for people who are at intermediate risk of heart disease—meaning they have some risk factors but aren’t clearly high or low risk.
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recommend considering the test if:
You're between ages 40 and 75
You don’t have heart disease yet
You have one or more risk factors like:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Family history of heart disease
You and your doctor aren’t sure whether you should start a medication like a statin (a cholesterol-lowering drug)
If your score is 0, you may not need medication right now. If your score is high, it might be time to get more serious about treatment and lifestyle changes .
How Is It Better Than Other Risk Tools?
Doctors often use tools like the Framingham Risk Score or Pooled Cohort Equations to estimate your heart risk based on age, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. But these tools are not perfect.
Coronary calcium scoring gives more accurate and personalized information.
Better prediction: Studies show CAC scoring is better at predicting heart attacks than traditional risk calculators or even genetic risk tests .
High negative predictive value: A score of 0 means a very low chance of having a heart problem in the next 5 to 10 years—even if your cholesterol is high .
More confidence in decisions: It helps guide whether you really need to start medications like statins .
Why Is It So Useful?
1. Risk Stratification
The test helps doctors sort people into different risk categories: low, moderate, or high. That’s called risk stratification. It helps make better treatment decisions .
2. Peace of Mind
For many people, a score of 0 offers reassurance. They can often avoid medications and focus on healthy habits instead.
3. Motivation to Change
When people see they have calcium buildup, it makes heart disease feel real. This can be a wake-up call to eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, and follow medical advice .
4. Cost-Effective
The scan usually costs between $100 and $150 and doesn’t require insurance approval. It can help avoid expensive and unnecessary treatments for low-risk people, while helping high-risk people get help early .
How to Get the Test
You’ll need a doctor’s referral. It’s usually done at a hospital or imaging center with a CT scanner. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and you’ll be able to go home right after.
What to Do After the Test
No matter what your score is, there are things you can do to protect your heart:
✅ If your score is 0:
Great news! Keep living healthy.
Stay active, eat well, and don’t smoke.
Retest in 5 years or if your health changes.
⚠️ If your score is between 1 and 99:
Talk with your doctor about starting a statin.
Keep a heart-healthy lifestyle.
❗ If your score is 100 or more:
You’re at moderate to high risk.
A statin is likely recommended.
You may need more tests or treatment depending on your symptoms and health history .
Tips for a Heart-Healthy Life
Here are a few steps everyone can take—whether your CAC score is zero or 1,000:
🥗 Eat more fruits, veggies, and fiber
🚶♂️ Exercise at least 150 minutes a week
🚭 Quit smoking
🧘♀️ Manage stress
🛌 Get 7–9 hours of sleep
🩺 Follow up with your doctor regularly
Conclusion
Coronary calcium scoring is like a snapshot of your heart's health. It’s a powerful tool that helps you and your doctor make smart choices to prevent heart disease. The test is quick, safe, and affordable—and the results can be a life-changer.
If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and unsure about your heart risk, ask your doctor if a coronary calcium scan is right for you.
At Shreveport Direct Care, we’re here to help you take control of your heart health. If you’re ready to learn more or want to schedule a consultation, reach out today. Let’s protect your heart—together.
References
Schade DS, Hickey M, Eaton RP. Interpreting the Coronary Artery Calcium Score. Am J Med. 2023;136(11):1070-1075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.08.005
Whelton SP, Blaha MJ. Coronary Artery Calcium: From Risk Prediction to Treatment Allocation and Clinical Trials. Heart. 2023;109(22):1714-1721. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2022-321711
Greenland P, Blaha MJ, Budoff MJ, Erbel R, Watson KE. Coronary Calcium Score and Cardiovascular Risk. JACC. 2018;72(4):434-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.05.027
Cheong BYC, Wilson JM, Spann SJ, et al. An Evidence-Based Guide for Primary Care Physicians. J Intern Med. 2021;289(3):309-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13176
Khan SS, Post WS, Guo X, et al. Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Polygenic Risk Score. JAMA. 2023;329(20):1768-1777. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.7575
Qazi AH, Zallaghi F, Torres-Acosta N, et al. Mammogram for the Heart. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2016;58(5):529-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2016.01.007