February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. Heart disease is known as the silent killer, making it crucial to understand how heart disease presents and develops differently in women and men in order to recognize the warning signs. Preventive screenings provide essential insights into risk to empower individuals to take control of their health. This week on Fox17, Dr. Bitner shares how a Coronary Artery Calcium Score Test can help prevent heart disease and what steps you can take to have a healthy heart.
Fact #1
Measuring your risk for heart disease starts with understanding your calcium score. When bad lipid particles, such as cholesterol, penetrate the walls of the arteries, it creates inflammation. The body responds to this inflammation by sending calcium to repair and harden the inflamed area. This can lead to plaque buildup, where the vessel becomes stiff and narrow, increasing the risk for heart disease. The CAC test helps identify the location and amount of calcium within an individual’s arteries to measure their risk for cardiovascular disease.
Fact #2
A Coronary Artery Calcium Score Test examines the arteries for any calcium. The test is a CT scan that requires no dye or IV and takes only 10 minutes. A cardiologist or radiologist can review your results and provide them within a few days. The results will show an Agatston score, which is the amount of calcium particles present. The higher the number, the greater the risk of heart disease. The CAC test highlights details like location and amount, providing individuals with crucial information that can save their lives and change their health.
Fact #3
Early detection can change your life. Learning about your risk for major diseases like heart disease can help you adopt healthy lifestyle habits and create a personalized plan with your provider to take proactive steps for your health, like scheduling additional tests and considering medications. Don’t wait til it’s too late; notice the signs and get tested. Here are a few indicators that you should get a CAC test:
- High cholesterol
- History of smoking
- Family history of early heart disease
- Menopause
- Considering new medication like, statin or menopause hormone therapy
- Overweight (BMI >25) or having obesity (BMI > 30)
Fact #4
How to interpret your CAC test:
Score: 0
Your risk for blockage is low, but continue to optimize your health with preventive screenings and healthy habits.
Score: 0-100
Your risk for blockage is mild. Learn more about your results, optimize key factors like lipoprotein levels and prioritize removing unhealthy habits and replacing them with healthy ones.
Score: 100-400
Your risk is moderate. Talk with your provider about the best approach to lowering your risk and take action to improve your health now.
Score 400+
If your risk is high, speak with your provider to determine the next steps for treatment. Consult a cardiologist and undergo further testing to develop an aggressive treatment plan.
Patient Story:
Jane, 50, was active with normal blood pressure but had rising cholesterol levels and a family history of heart disease. She took a CAC test, and her score came back as 230, making her at moderate risk for heart disease. Jane wanted to take proactive steps to minimize her risk, so she learned more about her CAC score.
Jane learned her lipoprotein(a) was 100. This is the type of cholesterol particle that is not evident on the regular test and causes plaque to form. She talked with her doctor and created a plan. She would implement lifestyle changes of strength training and prioritizing better sleep. Jane also began taking statin, a GLP-1, and wore a CGM to keep her accountable to maintain an even blood sugar around 95. Jane used the CAC test as a wake-up call and made real changes to keep her healthy for longer.
Takeaway Tip:
Insurance doesn’t currently cover the CAC test for screening, but it’s a test that can change lives. CAC tests eliminate the surprise of unexpected heart attacks and provide individuals with peace of mind and the information to take proactive steps to live a longer, healthier life.
