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Question:
What does my calcium score mean?
What does calcium score mean? My latest CT scan indicated my calcium score is 24 with a notation of "it is below the 25th percentile for men of similar age". What does it mean? Is it that my calcium score is better than 75% of men at my age of 63?
submitted by Michael from Pasadena on 10/22/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Roberta C. Bogaev, MD
Hi Michael,
A calcium score indicates the amount of calcium in your heart arteries. Calcium deposits in cholesterol plaque and correlates with the presence of cholesterol build-up inside the arteries. Therefore, a lower score is better. If you are below the 25% percentile, then you have very little calcium deposits and very little cholesterol build-up for men your age.
However, heart attacks are caused by rupture of cholesterol plaque and the abrupt formation of a blood clot in the blood vessel. The reason that a stable plaque may rupture is due to inflammation, caused by stress, infection, depression, smoking, etc. You have obviously made good lifestyle choices and I would encourage you to continue to eat a low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium diet and exercise routinely. In addition, check your blood pressure frequently and your cholesterol level at least annually. There are advanced lipid profiles, such as the Berkley panel, that evaluate multiple markers of inflammation as well as the standard cholesterol panel. Medicare covers the Berkley panel up to 4 times a year and many insurance companies will pay for 80% of the cost, which can be up to $1000.00 - $1100.00.
Thanks for contacting Ask A Texas Heart Institute Doctor.
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NOTE to Michael from HIC staff: It appears your question has been submitted and answered by AATHID in variations twice before recently. Here and here.
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