What does Calcium do for us! However calcium is important at any age. Pregnant women calcium intake is also very important. Don’t worry about taking too much calcium. Most greens are good sources of calcium. Diabetes mellitus and not exercising regularly was associated with increased Coronary Artery Calcium Scores in white women but not African American women.
Atherosclerosis is the only disease process known to cause calcium to deposit in coronary artery walls. Calcium is not found in normal coronary arteries.
The calcium score screening heart scan is a non-invasive test that detects calcium deposits in the coronary artery walls. Separate calcium scores may be obtained for the left main artery, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex, and right coronary artery but the total calcium score is most important. The EBCT can detect miniscule calcium deposits which is what is usually present with early coronary artery disease. The presence of any coronary calcification signifies coronary artery disease. People with low total calcium scores are at a lower cardiovascular risk than high scores.
A calcium score of zero indicates the absence of any calcium and an extremely low likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease. A calcium score greater than 400 signifies extensive calcification and a high likelihood of significant coronary artery disease. (See Average Calcium Score Chart) Asymptomatic people with an intermediate calcium score require a thorough risk assessment and individualized risk factor modification. The quantity of coronary artery calcium predicts the total atherosclerotic plaque mass and likelihood of developing future cardiovascular events. (See Coronary Artery Calcium Scans chart below)
Coronary calcium screening is able to identify non-obstructive mild coronary artery lesions before symptoms develop. In one study 46% of patients with coronary artery calcium scores greater than 400 had an abnormal nuclear scan while 0% of patients with coronary artery calcium scores less than 10 had an abnormal nuclear scan.
Calcium scoring scans have been reported to have a higher predictive value for significant coronary artery disease in women and less false positives than men. A study of asymptomatic women over 55 years of age with normal lipid levels found elevated coronary artery calcium score.
Indications for Coronary Artery Calcium Scans: 1. Family history heart disease (especially premature heart disease) 2.
Contraindications for Coronary Artery Calcium Scans: 1. Known coronary artery disease 2. Pregnant women 4.
Average Calcium Scores: Men < 40 years old 0 45 to 49 years old 0 50 to 54 years old 5 55 to 59 years old 36 60 to 64 years old 95 65 to 69 years old 201 70 to 74 years old 302 > 74 years old 521