Coronary artery calcium scoring: current status and future directions

This review examined research on coronary artery calcium scoring, a CT scan that looks for hardened calcium deposits in the heart’s arteries. These deposits are a sign of plaque, a buildup that can raise the chance of a heart attack. People with higher calcium scores generally had higher future heart risks, while a score of zero often meant lower short-term risk. The scan cannot show every type of plaque or predict exactly who will have a heart attack. It also involves a small amount of radiation and may lead to extra tests.

What this means for you: This scan may help people whose treatment decision, such as starting a cholesterol-lowering medicine, is unclear. It is not a general health upgrade or a replacement for managing blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, exercise, and diet, so discuss its usefulness with a clinician rather than buying it routinely.