Ellen Geller Kamaras
Heart disease is the leading cause of adult deaths in the United States. It is the cause of one in five deaths, taking approximately 700,000 lives per year.
Heart disease includes a broad range of conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, heart valve disease, cardiac arrhythmia, congenital heart defects, and cardiomyopathies.
A member of our community, Aharon, described his recent brush with heart disease and a lifesaving outcome thanks to the Coronary Calcium Score (CT Calcium Scan). He asked that we share his story with our readers so that they would learn about the CT Calcium Scan and benefit from learning about his positive experience.
The CT Calcium Scan is a painless, quick, noninvasive and inexpensive tool for assessing the risk of coronary artery disease and for guiding preventive measures.
A “Chance” Encounter Leads to Critical Testing
About a month ago, Aharon went to see his doctor for a wrist injury and he inquired about the CT Calcium Scan. His mother and sister had discussed the scan at a family get together. Although Aharon didn’t exhibit any symptoms of heart disease and has a robust exercise routine, he was aware of his family history of heart disease. Fortunately, the doctor agreed to arrange for the scan for Aharon.
In just 15 minutes, Aharon received life-altering news: three critical blockages were silently threatening his heart. The three blockages were: 98 percent, 68 percent, and 29 percent, respectively. Aharon was told that he needed three coronary stent placements. During this procedure, a stent or a small mesh tube is inserted into the coronary (heart) artery where plaque has built up and narrowed the space for blood flow. The stent aids in opening the artery to allow improved blood flow and healthier heart function.
It was hashgacha pratit, Divine Providence, that Aharon had questioned his doctor about getting the CT Calcium Scan due to his family history. Aharon had the first stent surgery and is
recovering. The other two surgeries have been scheduled. We pray for his refuah shelema (Aharon ben Esther).
Aharon deserves kudos for advocating for his own healthcare. It is crucial for individuals to become educated about their family medical history and to advocate for their own healthcare and treatment options. If one does not have the mental capacity to advocate for himself, family members or friends must step up to the plate to do so.
CT Calcium Scan Details
Here are more details about the CT Calcium Scan. Note that I am not a doctor or health professional. Please consult your physician for more specific details about the description of the CT Calcium Score that follows:
During the procedure the patient lies on a table while a scanner takes X-ray images of their heart for approximately ten to fifteen minutes. The scan is a noninvasive and painless imaging test that detects and measures the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries.
Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen. Calcium (along with fat, cholesterol, and other substances) is a component of plaque, a material that can build up in the artery walls. This plaque buildup is referred to as atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries,” the cause of CAD. You may be familiar with the term “arteriosclerosis.” This is a broader term for the hardening or thickening of the arteries from various causes, with atherosclerosis being the most common type.
What the Scores Mean
The more calcified plaque one has, the higher their coronary calcium score. The CT Calcium Score test results are expressed as a number, referred to as the Agatson score. A zero score translates to 0 calcium deposits; higher number signifies a larger amount of plaque.
Zero is considered a normal calcium test score. Individuals with a zero or negative score have a very low risk of having a heart attack in the next two to five years. However, your doctor will also look for other risk factors for heart disease.
This test is largely administered to patients without symptoms and not those who have current symptoms of CAD.
Cholesterol guidelines provided by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology suggest that a Coronary Calcium Score can refine risk assessment in certain patients who are at intermediate risk for CAD. This can help doctors decide whether it is appropriate for those patients to begin statin therapy.
The Coronary Calcium Score is primarily utilized to assess an individual’s future risk of suffering a heart attack from CAD within the next five years. It also serves to identify individuals who may benefit from preventive measures including medications or lifestyle
changes. Finally, doctors prescribe a CT Calcium scan to monitor the advancement of atherosclerosis.
Caveats and Limitations
CT Calcium Scan test results are evaluated based on gender, age, and other risk factors for CAD. The test requires a qualified radiologist to interpret the results. The CT Calcium Score cannot detect all types of plaque. For example, it does not detect soft, non-calcified plaque, only hardened calcified plaque. This means a normal calcium score does not guarantee zero risk for a heart attack, as soft plaque can still rupture and cause serious cardiac events. (To assess soft plaque, a doctor may order a coronary CT angiogram, which uses contrast dye to visualize the arteries and the non-calcified plaque.) The CT Calcium Scan is not recommended for pregnant women as it can harm the fetus. Patients should discuss their test results with their doctor, who will decide how to proceed.
The cost of the scan can range from $100 to $500 and health insurance restrictions may apply.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Calcium score testing is a quick, noninvasive test that can help your provider make decisions about your heart and blood vessel health. [You should] think of it as another source of information they can use. It should be part of several information sources they review when assessing your heart attack and stroke risk. Ask questions if anything isn’t clear when your provider talks with you about your results.”
Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach. Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching. Ellen can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com.