Introduction:
The most common cause of death in developed nations is coronary artery disease (CAD), sometimes known as ischemic heart disease. Estimates indicate that more than half of men and one-third of women over 40 will acquire coronary artery disease (CAD) symptoms at some point in their lives. Despite a global decrease in CAD death rates over the previous four decades, it still accounts for one-third of all fatalities among persons aged 35 and older.
Acute myocardial infarction can be reduced by coronary artery disease diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. If the plaque pattern in the coronary arteries can be identified, more effective treatment options may become available. One such modality is ct calcium score.
Calcium is essential for the health of our bones; nevertheless, research has shown that having calcium in the coronary arteries can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Calcium deposits, known as plaque, are composed of fibrin, fat, and LDL cholesterol. Calcium deposits are what cause plaque to form. The buildups may remain stable in the arteries for a while, but eventually, they may become irritated and burst, which might cause a blood clot that can lead to a heart attack. This can happen at any time during the process.
What is ct calcium score?
During the procedure, a specialized form of CT imaging will be utilized to determine the amount of calcium in the coronary artery. This demonstrates the calcium's high density and the amount of space it occupies in the heart.
Therefore, the coronary calcium scoring test is an effective method for estimating the likelihood of having a coronary event. Through this test, it is able to determine the extent to which calcium has accumulated in the coronary arteries.
How exactly does one go about obtaining a ct calcium score?
- The technician will provide you with information regarding your procedure and respond to any queries that you might have.
- You have to lie on your back in a completely flat position. Your arms will move up and over your head in this position.
- By attaching four wires to your chest, the scan will be timed to coincide with the rhythm of your heartbeat.
- You will be instructed to remain still and hold your breath for a period of time during this procedure.
- Pictures of you will be taken as you pass through the scanner, so don't move too quickly.
- The technologist doing your operation will at all times be able to see and hear you during the process.
- The scan won't be painful, and it should just take approximately ten minutes of your time.
What is the radiation dose?
The CT procedures provided estimates that fell somewhere between 0.8 and 10.5 mSv for the effective dosage that would result from a single CAC test. The value that was considered to be typical, or average, was 3.1 mSv, whereas the median value was 2.3 mSv.
Who exactly ought to get their calcium score checked?
It is suggested that persons between the ages of 40 and 70 get a calcium-score screening if they have:
- A history of coronary disease in the immediate or extended family
- The history of smoking
- High blood pressure has been around for a very long time.
- High cholesterol has been around for a very long time.
- Physical Inactivity
- Obesity and excessive body fat
Your cardiologist decides whether or not you need a CT calcium score
What are some potential dangers of getting a CT heart scan?
The following is a list of the potential dangers associated with CT heart scans:
Contrast dye: the vast majority of dyes that are used for CT Heart Scans contain iodine, which the patient's kidneys are responsible for eliminating. Even though the kidneys are less likely to be damaged by these dyes, some people may still have moderate itching and rashes as a result of their use. It is possible that the patient will have an adverse reaction to the dyes if they are experiencing issues with their kidneys.
Radiation: Because X-ray beams are utilized in a CT Heart Scan, the patient is subjected to radiation during the procedure. Patients are nevertheless evaluated to see whether or not they have any preexisting conditions that might be exacerbated by the X-ray beams used in most CT scans. This is the case even though the radiation levels used in most CT scans are considered safe.
Results
Most of the time, the examination outcome is presented in the form of a number and is referred to as an "Agatston score." The score indicates the number of calcium deposits present as well as the density of those deposits.
- If you receive a score of zero, it indicates that there is no calcium present in the heart. It indicates that there is a low probability that you may suffer a heart attack in the future. When calcium is present, the risk of developing heart disease increases in proportion to the value of the score.
- If you get a score between 100 and 300, it indicates that there is a reasonable quantity of plaque. It raises the probability that you may suffer from a heart attack or another form of heart disease within the following three to five years.
- If you have a score higher than 300, you have a risk that ranges from extremely high to severe of becoming ill or having a heart attack.
You may also receive a percentile score, which compares the amount of calcium in your body to that of others of the same age and gender as you.
What should you do if your calcium score is high?
It is important to remember that the outcome of a heart scan is not the only factor to consider when evaluating your overall health and potential for developing heart disease. Combining the information obtained from a heart scan with other medical records is important.
Modifications to your way of life can help you avoid coronary calcification and reduce its progression, depending on the severity of the condition. Among them are the following:
- Dieting (especially to limit cholesterol, fat, and sodium)
- Exercising
- Quitting smoking
- Making an effort not to drink
- Medication for achieving weight loss
Suppose you are at risk for coronary calcification. In that case, your physician may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication, such as statins, in order to reduce the amounts of "bad" low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and "good" high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in your blood (e.g., statin).
PCSK 9 inhibitors are relatively new medications that are administered via injection and can assist in lowering cholesterol levels in patients who have difficulty doing so with statins.
Other medications, such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, may also be used in order to lower blood pressure, manage blood sugar (like anti-diabetic drugs), prevent blood clots (like aspirin), or break up a blood clot that has already formed (if one has already developed) (e.g., warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa).
You may require coronary stenting or bypass surgery if you have significant atherosclerosis, also known as plaque, which has already caused or has the potential to develop symptoms or disease.
The coronary stenting method is a minimally invasive treatment that involves the use of a catheter, which is a thin and flexible tube. The catheter is used to guide a tiny balloon into the blocked artery and push the plaque out of the way so that blood flow can resume normally. In order to keep the artery open, a tiny tube made of mesh known as a stent is inserted into it. This is done by a cardiologist in Hyderabad.
Surgeons frequently use a "bypass surgery" procedure to create alternative routes for blood flow around either obstructed or excessively narrow arteries. These "bypasses" are created by taking healthy blood vessels from the chest, arms, or legs and using them elsewhere in the body.
