Context:

Coronary artery calcium testing is an underutilized yet effective method to assess the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease by detecting plaque in the arteries. Lynda Hollander, with a family history of heart disease and rising cholesterol levels post-menopause, sought to understand her cardiac risk more precisely. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle as an avid runner with a balanced diet, her cholesterol remained high, prompting her doctor to suggest the calcium test. The test, a simple CT scan, can reveal plaque build-up, which, if ruptured, could lead to heart attacks by causing blood clots. Dr. Michael Blaha notes the growing use and interest in calcium testing, highlighting its quadrupling usage over a decade, although it remains less common than it could be given its potential benefits in preventative cardiology.

Dive Deeper:

• Coronary artery calcium testing provides a more accurate estimation of heart disease risk by detecting arterial plaque through a CT scan, which is brief and painless.

• Lynda Hollander, with a significant family history of heart disease, faced increased cholesterol levels after menopause, leading her to explore more precise risk assessment options.

• Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular running and a balanced diet, Hollander's cholesterol levels did not decrease, prompting her doctor to suggest the calcium test.

• Plaque detected by the calcium test can rupture, potentially causing blood clots that block blood flow, leading to heart attacks, making early detection critical for prevention.

• Dr. Michael Blaha from Johns Hopkins University notes a significant increase in calcium scan usage, with fourfold growth between 2006 and 2017, though the test remains underused compared to its potential benefits.