At what Age should you get a Coronary Calcium Scan?
Reviewed By: John Duncan, Ph.D.
Director of Operations at: VIASCAN
The best age for you is dependent on your own health story. Your heart is a powerful pumping machine that does its job every minute of the day and night. Small amounts of calcium can accumulate in the blood vessels that supply it over time. A coronary calcium scan may be useful in identifying that buildup early, even before you have any symptoms. This test, in simple, friendly terms, is part of a group of tests that we do to look at prevention. You will find all of this information below, and it will be explained to you when it’s time to get it, when it’s the right time to go sooner, and how your family history fits in.
What is a coronary calcium scan, and what does it show about your Heart health?
A coronary calcium scan is a quick CT scan of the heart. It takes photographs of the coronary arteries and the tubes that supply blood to your heart tissue. This scan seeks calcium deposits within the walls of these arteries. Plaque is a deposit of calcium that can cause the narrowing of the arteries over time. The scan provides a number known as a calcium score. Higher scores indicate a higher calcium concentration. This test is a component of heart disease screening and your doctor will use this information together with other information.
Coronary Calcium Scans
It’s easy and quick to scan. You lie on a table, the technologist puts stickers on your chest and the machine takes pictures in a few minutes. No needles or dyes are used. Here are some of the common coronary calcium score ranges: 0, mild; 100-299, moderate; 300 and above, higher.
When are people without a history of Heart disease routinely recommended to have a coronary calcium scan?
Coronary calcium scan may be useful in adults between the ages of 40 and 75 who don’t have any identified heart disease. It is sometimes suggested for individuals with an intermediate risk factor for heart disease. In these instances, the score can guide a doctor in determining whether taking further action (like medication or lifestyle modifications) would be appropriate. Men tend to begin this discussion around the age of 40-45. Women may begin a little later, at age 50-55, due to increased risk following menopause.
Recommended Age for CAC Scans
For individuals under 40, the scan is less likely to detect calcium, thus physicians typically do not recommend it unless there’s a good reason. The score may make fewer decisions after 75, as many individuals already have some calcium in their bodies. Some doctors recommend repeating the score in 5 to 10 years (depending on risk) if the first score is 0.
Why do some people have to have a coronary calcium scan before others?
Not everyone is at the same risk for heart disease. For some, plaque accumulates in the arteries at an early age due to their health, lifestyle or genes. To them, a normal age could mean that they are missing out on valuable information. It might be that you’ve been wondering, “Should I get a calcium score test?” before age 40 or 45, because there’s something in your health history that makes you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. If so, your doctor might recommend a scan earlier to better understand your heart’s health.
Factors That May Affect Timing
- Diabetes: High blood sugar over time can damage blood vessels.
- Smoking: Tobacco can harm the walls of the arteries and can accelerate plaque formation.
- Very high cholesterol levels: Can cause plaque to form at a younger age.
- High blood pressure: Over time, excessive pressure can damage artery walls.
Long-term (chronic) inflammation or kidney disease: Other inflammatory conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can increase risk, as can kidney disease.
What factors should be taken into account when deciding to get a calcium scan?
Family history is important. Your risk might be increased if your parent, brother or sister also developed heart disease before their 55th birthday. This early heart disease is often referred to by doctors as ‘early’ because it occurs before the age of 55 in men and 45 in women. Part of a cardiovascular risk assessment will include family history and the other risk factors. All these factors will help determine whether you should get a calcium scan and when. The next question asked is, At what age should you get a coronary calcium scan? Heart scans are an option at imaging centers like ViaScan of Las Colinas that can be used to help this discussion with your doctor.
The risk factors for heart disease include:
- Doctors use tools to estimate your 10-year risk of heart problems, called risk calculators.
- Risk is higher in case of people from South Asian background.
- Lifestyle: Low activity, extra weight, poor sleep habits can contribute to risk.
- Pregnancy history: A woman’s history of complications such as preeclampsia can increase her risk for heart disease later in life.
Tell your doctor about your complete medical history so that she can consider all of your circumstances.
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Conclusion
The talk begins between 40 and 75 years, and perhaps sooner on if there is a risk factor. The optimal timing will be determined with your doctor based on your health. Seek guidance, ask questions and remain curious about your heart. Should you and your doctor agree that an imaging test is the best next step, ViaScan of Las Colinas provides preventive imaging tests like a heart scan, wellness body scan, or a CT scan that can help you with your care. Your heart does so much for you every day; it’s worth knowing more about it.
Director of Operations at : VIASCAN
John Duncan, Ph.D., has been a leading expert in preventive cardiology for over 20 years. He has dedicated his career to helping thousands of people take control of their health before problems arise.
After working at the Cooper Institute for 15 years, he founded ViaScan, where he has helped tens of thousands of patients gain insight into their health through early detection of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
