Calcium Score Testing
Cardiac calcium scoring is a medical procedure that checks for the buildup of calcium and calcified plaque in coronary arteries. Medical professionals can use the calcium score testing to detect early signs of heart disease in patients.
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How it Works
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Cardiac score testing is done using computed tomography machines, which are a specialized type of x-ray machine. CT technologists and other diagnostic medical professionals use the CT scan to take cross-sectional photographs of thin sections of the heart.
What it Reveals
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When CT scans reveal calcium buildup in coronary arteries, it is typically a symptom of coronary artery disease. Coronary arteries supply the heart with blood and are supposed to be kept clear of any buildup.
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When to Do It
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Calcium score testing is a rarer diagnostic medical test, as most heart diseases can be detected through other types of examinations. Physicians recommend cardiac calcium scoring to patients who have proven to be at risk for CAD, or for patients who have a 20 percent chance of having a heart attack within a year's time.
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