What a calcium score screening can tell you?

What a calcium score screening can tell you?

If you’re like most people, you probably think of calcium as something that’s good for your bones. And it is. Calcium is a key mineral that helps keep bones strong and healthy. But calcium can also build up in your arteries, and that can be a problem. Calcium deposits in arteries are called plaque. Plaque narrows arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow through them. That can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Non-invasive and painless:

A calcium score screening is a non-invasive and painless test that uses a special type of x-ray called computed tomography (ct) scan to look for calcium deposits in your arteries. Calcium deposits are a sign of atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque (a fatty substance) builds up in your arteries. Plaque can narrow your arteries and make it harder for blood to flow through them.

More accurate than other tests:

calcium score screening in Middletown, NJ is more accurate than other tests, such as stress tests, in predicting whether you’re at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Calcium score screenings are a reliable way to predict your risk for a heart attack or stroke. The test is non-invasive and does not require any preparation.

No preparation is needed:

There is no special preparation needed for a calcium score screening. You simply lie on a table and the scan is done. However, if you have had a heart attack or have had a stent or other interventional procedure, please make sure you bring along the information about this. Also, if you have had a recent mri or ct scan, please bring along the report of this scan.

Results are available quickly:

Results from a calcium score screening are available quickly, usually within a few days. High-risk patients are typically advised to get a coronary angiography and possibly angioplasty and stinting to improve blood flow through the arteries to the heart.

Insurance may cover the cost:

Many insurance plans cover the cost of a calcium score screening. There is no radiation attached to a calcium score scan and there is little to no wait time to get the results. A calcium score scan provides imaging information about the coronary arteries that cannot be obtained from a stress test.

Conclusion:

A calcium score screening is a quick, painless, and accurate way to check for calcium deposits in your arteries. If you’re at risk for heart disease, this test can help guide your treatment.