What Does the Heart Screening Coronary Calcification Score Mean?

Very early warning signs of heart disease can be detected with cardiac scoring. This is the latest tool available to detect plaque in the coronary arteries. There are five categories for calcium scores:

• A Score of 0 - No coronary artery disease
• A score of 1-11 - Indicates a minimal risk of coronary artery disease
• A score of 11-100 - Indicates a mild degree atherosclerotic plaque burden
• A score of 101-400 - Indicates a moderate atherosclerotic plaque burden
• A score greater than 400 - Indicates an extensive atherosclerotic plaque burden

In addition to the total score, a percentile for age and gender is calculated. If the score >75 percentile for a patient's age/gender, then the physician will advance to recommendations for next higher calcium score range. With this information, you and your physician can formulate the appropriate treatment, which could include diet and life style changes, medications, and/or further testing.

CT CALCIUM SCORE OF 0:

No identifiable plaque. The probability of significant Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is very unlikely, generally < 5%. The implications for Cardiovascular (CV) risk are very low. The recommendations are to discuss general public health guidelines for primary prevention of heart diseases.

CT CALCIUM SCORE OF 1-10:

Minimal identifiable plaque burden. The probability of significant CAD is very low, < 10%. The implications for CV risk are low. The recommendations are to discuss general public health guidelines for primary prevention of heart diseases.

CT CALCIUM SCORE OF 11-100:

Definite, at least mild atherosclerotic plaque burden. The probability of significant CAD-mild or minimal coronary stenosis likely. The implications for CV risk are low to moderate. The recommendations are to counsel about risk factor modification, strict adherence with National primary prevention guidelines for high cholesterol. Consult your physician.

CT CALCIUM SCORE OF 101-400:

Definite, at least moderate atherosclerotic plaque burden. The probability of significant CAD-non-obstructive CAD highly likely, although obstructive disease possible. The implications for CV risk are moderate to high. The recommendations are to institute aggressive risk factor modification and secondary prevention guidelines for high cholesterol. Consult your physician.

CT CALCIUM SCORE >400:

Extensive atherosclerotic plaque burden. The probability of significant CAD-high likelihood (>=90%) of at least 1 significant coronary stenosis. The implications for CV risk are high. The recommendations are to institute very aggressive risk factor modifications. Consult your physician.