New Heart Scan Shows Promise for Risk Assessment

A quick 10-minute scan might help determine if you’re at risk for a heart attack or coronary artery disease.

Lynda Hollander, a 64-year-old social worker and runner from West Orange, New Jersey, noticed her cholesterol rising post-menopause. Concerned about her health, she consulted a cardiologist, expressing that she “did not want to take a chance.”

After discussing her family history of heart disease and evaluating her cholesterol and blood pressure, the doctor informed Hollander that she was at risk for a heart attack within the next ten years.

Hollander then focused on improving her diet and shedding some pounds to help manage her cholesterol, but unfortunately, her numbers didn’t get better. Eventually, her doctor suggested a coronary artery calcium scan to assess her risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and having a heart attack.

A coronary calcium scan, or heart scan, is a CT scan that produces x-ray images of heart blood vessels. These images help measure calcium deposits that can accumulate as plaque in arteries, allowing for predictions about CAD risk even before symptoms show up.

According to the CDC, over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack or stroke each year, with around 375,000 deaths from CAD annually. The numbers are alarming, with increasing rates especially among younger individuals.

In 2020, about 138,000 Americans died from strokes, and alarmingly, one American dies of heart disease every 33 seconds—a statistic that’s rising.

Coronary artery disease occurs when calcium, fats, and other substances build up in the arteries, forming plaque. This buildup narrows the arteries, restricting proper blood flow to and from the heart, which can lead to heart attacks or even total heart failure over time.

The coronary calcium scan aids in identifying plaque buildup, allowing doctors to prescribe treatments to lower heart attack risk. It’s important to note that this scan doesn’t measure blood flow but focuses solely on plague presence. Doctors typically recommend it for those with a family history of coronary artery disease or intermediate risk factors, including tobacco use, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

However, it isn’t advised as a general screening test for those already at high risk of heart attacks or for individuals with previous heart issues like stents or bypass surgery.

Based on plaque amounts, experts give a calcium test score from zero to over 1,000. A score of 100 or less indicates mild evidence of CAD, 100 to 400 shows moderate evidence, and above 400 signifies a significant presence of CAD.

Dr. Robert Segal, a cardiologist, described the CAC Score as a critical tool for detecting heart disease early, before symptoms become apparent. He strongly recommends these scans as a preventive measure, noting they’ve saved lives.

Despite being a non-invasive procedure, many insurance companies don’t cover this scan, which can cost between $100 to $400.

After her test, Hollander received a score in the 50s. “It was the first indication of what was going on inside my arteries,” she reflected. Based on her results, she was prescribed Crestor three days a week and self-administers Repatha twice a month to manage her cholesterol levels.