What is coronary risk?

In order to assess the implications of your calcium score , it is important to understand your risk profile for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). There are several specific and predictive risk factors for the development of CAD, including: (1) cigarette smoking; (2) abnormal blood lipid profile, including an elevated LDL cholesterol and/or a low HDL cholesterol; (3) a strong family history of CAD at relatively young ages; (4) the presence of high blood pressure (hypertension); and (5) the presence of diabetes mellitus. In addition, with advancing age, the likelihood of developing CAD increases, particularly past the age of 65. Finally, if the patient is having symptoms consistent with CAD (e.g., chest pain), has already survived a heart attack, or has had coronary artery angioplasty and/or bypass surgery, there is already evidence of significant underlying CAD. If these factors are present, there is no need for a screening test such as a heart scan for underlying calcium . In these patients, who already have symptoms suggestive of CAD or who have already had documented CAD, doctors perform physiologic tests, such as exercise stress tests. These tests assess whether there is a severe blockage that may place the patient at significant risk for cardiac events. The results of these physiologic tests may indicate the need for further, more aggressive evaluation and treatment. The important point is that the heart scan is a screening test and is designed for use in patients without known CAD but who are at risk. In patients already known to have CAD, such a test is unnecessary and will not affect appropriate management.