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Interventional Cardiology (Expert Forum)
Interpreting a cardiac ct scan
Answered by
Darcy Green Conaway, MD - General Cardiology, Echocardiology
Truman Medical Center
Questions in the Interventional Cardiology forum are answered by medical professionals affiliated with the Truman Medical Center. Topics covered include acute coronary syndrome, angina , atrial fibrillation , cardiac catheterization , cardiomyopathy , drug abuse & cardiac disease, echocardiography , heart failure , hypertension & heart disease , lipid management , minorities and heart disease, peripheral vascular disease prevention, valvular heart disease , women’s heart health, and the warning signs of a heart attack.
Interpreting a cardiac ct scan
by dede1, Oct 19, 2007 01:10PM
My husband is 78 and just had a coronary ct scan. His calcium score is 1610.. I don't think he fasted for 12 hours before the test. Is he in immediate jeopardy for a possible heart attack?
Doctor's Answer
by Darcy Green Conaway, MD, Oct 23, 2007 09:15PM
, Oct 23, 2007 09:15PM
Coronary calcium scans are one of the most sensitive tests we have to detect CAD. That calcium score is very high and most cardiologists would want to see him and discuss symptoms; many would proceed with a stress test.
It does not matter that he didn't fast--
Coronary calcium scores are:
1) independent predictors of coronary artery disease events (heart attacks) and
2) can be used to modify an individual's risk (increase the known risk or decrease the known risk) after the person has been assessed with the Framingham Risk Score.
To answer your question, I would say he has increased risk over someone with a score of 0 and warrants very aggressive risk factor modification and should be seen by a cardiologist and considered for a stress test.
It does not matter that he didn't fast--
Coronary calcium scores are:
1) independent predictors of coronary artery disease events (heart attacks) and
2) can be used to modify an individual's risk (increase the known risk or decrease the known risk) after the person has been assessed with the Framingham Risk Score.
To answer your question, I would say he has increased risk over someone with a score of 0 and warrants very aggressive risk factor modification and should be seen by a cardiologist and considered for a stress test.
Member Comments (1)
by plantgram, Mar 28, 2008 12:46PM
A related discussion, ct calcium scores was started.
