Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring - Patient information - GenesisCare

Coronary Artery
   Calcium Scoring
   Patient information

What is coronary artery calcium scoring?

   A coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a measurement
   of the amount of calcium built up inside the arteries of
   your heart. This is measured by conducting a non-invasive
   CT scan to produce images of your coronary arteries.

CAC scoring assesses the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD)
by providing an overall calcium score. Your calcium score is based
on the results from the low dose computed tomography (CT) images
of your coronary arteries. The lower your score, the lower your risk of
developing symptomatic CAD. Depending on your score, your doctor
may make recommendations on lifestyle changes, medications or
treatments to reduce your potential risk from CAD.

Coronary artery disease is a disease that develops when major blood
vessels supplying blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked.
If the heart is unable to get enough blood, it will lack the oxygen and
nutrients it needs to function properly. This can cause chest pain
(angina) or in the case of a complete block, a heart attack. CAD can
be detected early, before it causes any symptoms by the identification
of calcification of the coronary arteries, so called “hardening of the
arteries”.
Even if you are low risk, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and
monitor your heart health.

Why should I have a CAC score?
A calcium score is a way to find out if you have early heart disease
before it gets worse. Knowing your risk can allow you and your doctor
to make decisions about how to lower your risk, such as lifestyle
changes or medication. Your doctor may also suggest you have
a calcium score if you have one or more potential risk factors for
coronary artery disease such as family history.
A coronary artery calcium score in many cases derisks an individual.
In cases where a personalised decision needs to be made about
treatment such as starting medication for cholesterol a CT calcium
score can provide very useful information. If the score is 0, it is often
possible to avoid active medication therapy for slightly elevated
cholesterol.
Even if you are low risk, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle
and monitor your heart health.

When would I have a calcium score?
Anyone can have a calcium score, however usually it is healthy adults
aged between 40 and 75 years (over 35 years for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders). The majority of people in Australia who have a cardiac
event are those that are considered low to intermediate risk with no
or only 1 traditional cardiac risk factor(reference below). A calcium
score can help reclassify a person’s risk, either up or down, and lead to
better cardiac management.

What should I expect?
             The procedure should only take around 10-15 minutes. A
             radiographer will first position you on the CT exam table,
             lying flat on your back with your arms above your head.

Small metal disks (called ECG electrodes) will then be attached to
your chest and to an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine. To attach the
electrodes, your cardiac technician will clean the areas on your chest
with alcohol wipes. This may feel cold or sting a little but should not
damage the skin. The ECG records your hearts electrical activity and
co-ordinates x-ray picture timing.
• A CAC test is non-invasive and does not require any injections or dyes
• The examination table may shift during the scan to capture the
  required images
• You will be asked to hold your breath for a period of 10 seconds
  during the scan while the images are being recorded

Note: This test is not rebated through medicare.

How safe is this test?
During the test, you will only be exposed to a very minimal amount of
radiation. Should you experience any issues on the day, our team are
onsite to assist. You should not undergo this test if you are pregnant.

Preparation
• On the day, you will need to change into a hospital gown from the
  waist up. You may wish to wear an outfit on the day to enable you
  to easily change into the gown
• Avoid applying lotions, perfumes or powders to the chest area
• Remove any jewellery around your neck or chest
• Avoid caffeine/stimulants for 12 hours before the test

What happens after the test?
Depending on your referral, one of our cardiologists may discuss the
results with you. When the test is complete, your referring doctor will
receive a full report.

    Disclaimers:
    To minimise radiation, the CT scanner is only programmed to
    acquire images of your heart. Although, small areas of surrounding
    tissue are sometimes imaged in the study, it is important to note
    that these will not be examined for other conditions you may have,
    for example in the lungs or chest wall.
    This brochure has been prepared by GenesisCare for informational
    purposes only and is not medical advice. All care has been taken to
    ensure the accuracy of information, however, this information may
    be changed, improved, or updated without notice.

    For more information:
    genesiscare.com/au/calciumscore