If you live in the Millburn, NJ area and have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you may have heard of the calcium score test in Millburn, NJ and are wondering what it’s all about. If so, you’re in luck because this post will tell you everything you need to know about this diagnostic test, including what it measures, who typically receives it, how it’s administered, its costs and benefits, and more.
What happens during an exam?
A calcium score test is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart that is used to detect the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. The exam is quick and easy and usually takes less than 10 minutes. During the exam, you will lie on a table while a special camera takes pictures of your heart. The images will then be analyzed by a radiologist to determine your calcium score. Your risk for developing heart disease will be ranked as either low, intermediate, or high based on how much-calcified plaque is detected in your arteries.
A lower number means a better chance of living longer without developing serious cardiac problems, but this number does not indicate whether you have any plaque at all. If no plaque was found during the calcium score test, it does not mean that there are no risks for heart disease down the line – only that it can’t be detected with this particular type of imaging.
What does a high result mean?
A high calcium score test result means that you have a lot of calcium build-up in your arteries. This is usually caused by atherosclerosis, which is when plaque builds up on the walls of your arteries. This can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. If you have high calcium score test result, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk of these diseases. One option is to take a medication called aspirin or another type of blood thinner. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes like eating healthier and getting more exercise.
