Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Traditional cardiovascular risk calculators typically use age, cholesterol level, smoking status, and other factors to estimate heart disease risk. But they may underestimate or overestimate risk in many patients. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score provides more personalized risk stratification.
At Bay Medical and Wellness Center, we believe in using the latest tools to provide personalized, preventative care. In this article, I’ll explain what a calcium score is, how it works, and why it may be one of the most important tests to help assess your risk for future heart disease.
A calcium score is obtained through a specialized CT scan of the heart. It measures the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart. This test is non-invasive, quick with very low amount of radiation exposure.
Plaque forms when cholesterol, fats, and other substances build up in the artery walls. Over time, this plaque can harden into calcium deposits, which can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular events.
The result is a numeric score (the Agatston score) that reflects the total amount of coronary calcium. Even when cholesterol levels or blood pressure seem controlled, a high calcium score can uncover hidden atherosclerosis, prompting earlier interventions to reduce risk.
Adding a coronary calcium score provides more personalized risk stratification, especially in:
- People with borderline or intermediate cholesterol levels
- Patients with strong family history of heart disease
- Patients considering statin therapy but uncertain of the need
How Is the Test Performed?
- You’ll lie on a table while a CT scanner captures detailed images of your heart.
- No needles or contrasts are used.
- The scan takes about 5–10 minutes.
- The radiologist calculates the Agatston score, which is reviewed by your physician.
At Bay Medical and Wellness Center, we coordinate this test through nearby imaging centers and review your results in a follow-up consultation.
At Bay Medical and Wellness Center, we’ve found calcium scoring to be a valuable tool in clinical decision-making. Some of the key benefits include:
- Early detection
- Motivation for Lifestyle Change
- Personalized Treatment
- Reassurance for Low-Risk Patients
The coronary calcium score is one of the most effective, low-risk tools for identifying early heart disease. It offers unique insights into your cardiovascular health that go beyond basic lab tests or risk calculators.
During my time at Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas, I had the privilege of collaborating with a distinguished group of physician-scientists to co-authored a landmark publication in 2003 titled, “From Vulnerable Plaque to Vulnerable Patient: A Call for New Definitions and Risk Assessment Strategies.” This pivotal work helped redefine how we approach cardiovascular risk evaluation. Notably, the article highlighted the coronary calcium score as an emerging tool for more accurate and individualized risk stratification—an insight that continues to influence modern preventive cardiology.
About The Author
By Dr. Alireza Zarrabi, Medical Director at Bay Medical and Wellness Center – August 3, 2025.