Recent Blog Articles
Is your vision impaired? Tips to cope
Misgendering: What it is and why it matters
Healthy brain, healthier heart?
Stories connect us
Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on
Respiratory virus cases tick upward: What parents should know
Hope: Why it matters
Will new guidelines for heart failure affect you?
Want probiotics but dislike yogurt? Try these foods
Is our healthcare system broken?
Heart Health
Calcium scan concerns
Ask the doctor
Q. I'm a 70-year-old man with no signs of any heart problems, and my blood pressure is low (110/70). I recently had a coronary artery calcium scan and received a score of 480. According to my cardiologist, that means I have a lot of plaque in my heart arteries. He increased the dose of my statin and recommended an echocardiogram stress test. The results showed no underlying heart issues, but I'm still concerned. How accurate are calcium scans?
A. A coronary artery calcium scan is a special CT scan that highlights calcium deposits in the plaque that lines and clogs the arteries feeding the heart. In general, calcium scans are very accurate. Unlike some other imaging tests, the results are unlikely to be either falsely negative (that is, the test indicates no problem when there actually is one) or falsely positive (the test indicates a problem when there isn't). That's because the results are literally black and white. The scanner takes multiple pictures of the heart in thin sections, which are then combined to produce a view that reveals calcium deposits as white specks. The machine's software then calculates a score based on the amount of calcification. Any score above zero indicates the presence of plaque.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
