UNDERSTANDING CORONARY CALCIUM SCANS: BENEFITS, RISKS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Understanding Coronary Calcium Scans: Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect

Understanding Coronary Calcium Scans: Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect

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Did you know the average size of the heart is the size of the adult’s fist? Your heart beats about 115,000 times each day. This calls for taking good care of your heart health, as the heart is the living block of your life. In case of any problem with the heart, a simple heart scan, also known as a coronary calcium scan, is a modern diagnostic tool. This heart scan assesses the risk of getting heart disease by detecting the presence of calcium in coronary arteries.  This test is a non-invasive procedure that offers a calcium coronary score that indicates the exact amount of calcium buildup within the blood vessels.

As heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world, early detection through coronary calcium scans near me can play an integral role in saving lives. In this post,  we will explain what a coronary calcium scan is, how it works, and why it is an essential tool for the prevention of heart diseases.

coronary calcium score, 

What is a Coronary Calcium Scan?


A coronary calcium scan is a noninvasive imaging test that allows the detection of calcium deposits in the arteries that may prevent the oxygen supply to the heart. The calcium buildup within arteries narrows them and increases the risk of coronary artery disease, which is one of the leading causes of death. One of the main benefits of this heart scan is that it allows to detect the early signs of plague before the symptoms start to appear, such as shortness of breath and extreme chest pain. In that regard, it is one of the most effective and preventive healthcare tools. This scan allows them to take proactive measures for the protection of heart health. 

As compared to other scans,  this heart scan is extremely quick and painless. Further,  it empowers doctors to make well-informed decisions about the treatment of the patient to prevent the risk of major cardiac arrest.

How does a Coronary Calcium Scan Work?


The process of coronary calcium scan is simple and it relies on computed tomography technology to take detailed images of the heart and blood vessels. The procedure includes the following steps.

  • You will lie on a table that goes inside the scanner while the scanner rotates around the body to take detailed images of the heart from different angles. 

  • The scan measures the calcium buildup within the arteries which is one of the indicator of cardiac arrest. The result of this scan contains coronary calcium score, which is a numerical value that presents the exact amount of calcium buildup within the arteries. 

  • If the score is 0, then it indicates no detection of plaque.  On the other hand,  a high score indicates a high level of plaque and high risk of cardiac arrest. 


In addition,  the test is completely noninvasive and painless. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the entire procedure. This procedure is considered safe for most individuals because it relies on low levels of radiations. 

What is the Importance of a Coronary Calcium Scan?


Coronary calcium scan is one of the most important tools for detection of heart disease or identifying the risk of cardiac arrest before the symptoms start to appear. The early detection of calcium buildup offers many benefits that include the following

  • The early detection allows to take preventive measures such as adoption of a healthy lifestyle and increasing the physical activity. It also involves quitting smoking and taking effective medicines to manage high cholesterol level.

  • Those people, who are at high risk of heart diseases due to high cholesterol and high blood pressure level,  this heart scan acts as a guide towards betterment. 

  • The people, who have a family history of cardiovascular diseases or coronary artery disease, they must go for this scan as scan allows doctors to offer personalised treatment based on the condition. 


If you are a person,  who is at risk of heart disease and is generally concerned for health, then try searching for a coronary calcium scan near me to find a better local option for testing and scanning.

Who Should Consider a Coronary Calcium Scan?


A heart scan is suggested by the doctor depending on the history. However, if you are experiencing the following conditions, then you must go for the scan:

  • If you have a family history of CAD. 

  • If you have high blood pressure and cholesterol levels followed by an inactive lifestyle. 


Conclusion


A coronary calcium heart scan is one of the most effective tools that allows one to determine the risk of cardiac arrest. To prevent the risk of it, it is better to go for the scan. You may go to ViaScan of Las Colinas or visit their website for more information about the scan.

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